The Woodward News

Local News

December 4, 2009

Outdoor fun available at area lakes

Even though the weather has turned colder, there is still a variety of outdoor recreational activities on offer at area lakes.

Nature lovers who are interested in the bald eagle can have a look at the kingly bird if they visit Canton Lake, located two miles north of Canton on the North Canadian River.

Canton Lake Park Ranger Debbie Chaloupek said the lake already has two bald eagles. They can be seen from a roadway that crosses the dam, she said.

“You can pull off and park and get the binoculars and watch them soar,” she said. “Weather conditions on cloudier days seem to help them locate the fish better. That’s been my observation.”

The Colorado winter weather pushes the eagles down into Oklahoma, Chaloupek said, noting every first Friday in January the eagles are counted nationwide.

“We’ve counted as many as 22,” she said. “Between 14 to 18 is the norm.”

Of course, there are several other activities to do at the lake in the months of December through February, Chaloupek said.

Camping is free, but electricity and water at the main camp ground is shut off, she said.

“Traditionally, the weather is so cold (at this time) we don’t have many campers,” she said. “But campers may camp for free for 14 days. If there are some fishing days, they’re welcome to come out, camp and fish.”

Though camping is less frequent, Chaloupek said this is the time of the year that quail and duck hunters come out, as well as deer hunters using archery.

All the activity at the lake keeps Chaloupek and the other two rangers who work with her busy.

“There is a lot of end of year work we have to do,” she said, noting electrical repairs are often made while the electricity is off.

Another project that is ongoing at the lake involves an auxiliary spillway that is in the process of being constructed, she said. The spillway has special gates 30 feet tall and is being built as an addition to the existing spillway.

Resident Engineer Jerry Grosz of the Army Corps of Engineers said the six-year project is still in its first phase of moving dirt in preparation for a bridge. The new bridge will be built in the second phase, he said, noting about five more years of work are to be done.

“The lake was designed in the 1930s,” he said.

The new spillway is being constructed to meet standards made evident in a 1990 criteria assessment, he said.

While there is plenty of activity going on at Canton Lake at this time, Fort Supply Lake appears to be quieter.

“Typically, this time of the year, visitation is pretty slow,” said Lead Ranger Don Underwood.

The slower pace will allow repairs to be made on boat ramps around the lake, he said.

There are deer and quail hunters at the lake, he said, noting camping is available as well.

Unlike Canton Lake, the electricity and water is on, Underwood said, but the restrooms and showers are closed.

“Restrooms are closed from Nov. 1 through the end of March,” he said. “But, fees are adjusted downward because of restroom closures.”

Travelers are “welcome to come and spend the night,” he said.

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