 Early
morning . . . the fog hugs the lake like a foot of see-through snow,
swirling and rising to create eerie figures as it dances on its way. You
can touch the stillness. The only sound is the occasional "plop"
as your lure finds the water.
Suddenly the sun breaks over the horizon,
turning the world from a monotone gray into a riot of pinks, purples,
yellows and oranges. Another day begins on Kaw Lake. The view from Kaw Lake, with its 168 miles of virtually unimproved
shoreline, is an endless portrayal of nature's bounty. Does and their
fawns drink at the water's edge, eyes and ears alert at the sound of a
passing boat. Bobcats skulk the cliffs seeking mice or the occasional
vole. Armadillos, opossum and raccoons parade with babies in tow as they
hurry from one place of safety to another.
The shores beckon with brilliant wildflowers in spring . . . the majesty
of mature, fully-greened trees in summer . . . the turning leaves in fall
and stark, leafless tree lines in winter. Kaw Lake is a place of great
beauty.
And great fun! On summer days the stillness is broken by the roar of jet
skis, party barges and speedboats, not to mention the shrill cries of
delighted children flying along on inner tubes. The swimming beaches team
with wildlife of the human variety as family members and friends savor the
cool water and soak up the sun. 
Natures Playground
Kaw
Lake's beauty is like a beacon, urging you to come romp and play in
nature's playground. Here you won't find wall-to-wall houses, you'll find
well-designed public campgrounds tucked into the many coves and inlets.
You won't find traffic jams or hear screeching tires, but you will find
roads that take you where you need to go and trails for hiking, horseback
riding and mountain biking.
You won't find polluted air or acres of
parking lots, but you will find clean fresh air, sparkling water, the
earth beneath your feet and a clear sky--give or take a cloud or
two--above your head.
For those who hunt and fish, Kaw Lake is a gold mine of opportunity. More
than 20,000 acres of land in Oklahoma and Kansas, owned by the U.S. Corps
of Engineers, surrounds Kaw Lake and is open to hunters. There is a
hunting season for more than 23 different animals, from deer to nutria,
and that's not counting doves, ducks, geese, sandhill cranes, coots and
snipes.
The Lake, with its 17,500 acres, has several man-made fish attraction
areas that are clearly marked on maps available at bait shops, restaurants
and other stores throughout the area. Known for great hauls of giant
catfish, Kaw Lake also has bass, crappie, walleye, striper and even a
spoonbill or two.
Out and About
Just a short drive from Kaw Lake and you're there . . . at the Ponca City
Herb Festival in June, at the Pawnee Bill Wild West Show in Pawnee during
the summer, at the Tulips-A-Bloom Festival in Blackwell in April.
Surrounding the Lake are numerous communities with special events, fine
and fast dining, and great shopping opportunities including a bevy of
antique stores.
A Few Facts and a Little History
Holding back the water is the dam on the south end of Kaw Lake. Finished
in 1976, it is a part of the $1.2 billion flood control plan for the
Arkansas River and is the northernmost lake-making dam on the River. Kaw
Lake gets its name from the Kaws, a tribe of Native Americans that live
around the north end of the lake. Other Native American tribes can be
found in the area, including the Ponca, Osage, Tonkawa, Otoe-Missouria,
and the Pawnee tribes. Pow-Wow's and other celebrations take place
throughout the year and are open to the public and
Here for You to Enjoy!
The Lake is for everyone. We hope you will come back again and again, to
enjoy what Kaw Lake and the surrounding areas have to offer.
|
NOTE:
This site is provided by the Ponca City Publishing