Broken Bow Lake Overview
Broken Bow Lake is a 14,000-acre reservoir in southeastern Oklahoma’s McCurtain County, known for its clear water, forested shoreline, and mountainous surroundings. Operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and fed by the Mountain Fork River, the lake features 180 miles of shoreline, scattered islands, and depths reaching 185 feet. The area is largely rural, with Hochatown as the closest town and Broken Bow serving as the main hub for supplies.
Surrounded by Beavers Bend State Park, Hochatown State Park, and the McCurtain County Wilderness Area, Broken Bow Lake attracts more than one million visitors each year for boating, kayaking, fishing, hiking, camping, hunting, and wildlife viewing. The landscape extends into the Ouachita and Kiamichi mountain ranges, offering a distinctive outdoor experience.
History
Authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1958 and completed in 1968, Broken Bow Lake sits on land with deep Indigenous roots. The area was inhabited by Caddo and Choctaw peoples for centuries, and part of the Trail of Tears runs near the lake’s southern edge. The town of Hochatown was relocated during the lake’s construction, and remnants of the original settlement now lie beneath the lake’s waters, reflecting the region’s layered cultural and historical significance.
Learn more about Broken Bow Lake at: https://www.brokenbowlake.net/information