Survey for a Solution---Declining Water Levels in the Cedar Lake Community, Canadian County, Oklahoma.
by Carol Becker
Johnson-Becker, llc
The results of a small community survey and answers about declining water levels
Introduction
Since 2022, groundwater levels in the Cedar Lake community in Canadian County, Okla., have steadily declined. As a result, Cedar Lake has reached historically low levels, and many domestic wells have either gone dry or now produce only limited amounts of water. Residents have expressed concern that dams constructed in the upper part of Cedar Lake’s small watershed are capturing a significant portion of the runoff that once flowed into the lake. Streamflow is the primary source of water that sustains lake levels and provides groundwater recharge to the underlying aquifer. Reduced streamflow has left many wells dry or producing only limited amounts of water.
To define the extent and better understand how declining water levels are affecting domestic wells in the Cedar Lake community, a survey—Survey for a Solution—was shared through word of mouth and social media. The survey asked questions addressing current water supply, water use, and water quality. Well location was requested for mapping purposes. A total of 63 well owners responded. In some cases, respondents skipped questions or certain questions did not apply to their situation, so not all questions received 63 responses.
Cedar lake
Cedar Lake, constructed in 1957, is located on a small tributary of the Canadian River in southwestern Canadian County, Okla. The lake has an estimated storage capacity of 1,000 acre-feet and receives runoff from a 1.33 square mile (853.1 acre) watershed (OWRB Open Records Request, 2025)(StreamStats).
Originally developed as a small fishing lake, the surrounding community has grown to roughly 400 residents (Cedar Lake CDP, Oklahoma - Census Bureau Profile), though fewer than half are reported to live there year‑round (S. Harrington, personal commun., 2026). All households rely on private wells for domestic water and aside from hauling water, no alternative household water sources are available.
The exact number of domestic wells in the area is unknown. The Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) Well Completion database (Oklahoma Groundwater Wells - Overview) lists 37 well‑completion reports submitted by licensed well drillers and an additional 6 wells reported by the public. However, most wells in the area were likely drilled before drillers were required to file completion reports, so the total number of wells is certainly higher and may number over 100.
Wells in the Cedar Lake community draw water from the Marlow Formation, which forms the lower unit of the Rush Springs aquifer—an aquifer that underlies roughly 4,700 square miles of west‑central Oklahoma (https://owrb.maps.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=e44ac06fc2fd4b258dff20e975079c96#overview). The upper unit, the Rush Springs Formation, is the primary water‑bearing zone, while the Marlow Formation is a low‑transmissivity unit with correspondingly lower well yields https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/owrb/documents/science-and-research/hydrologic-investigations/rush-springs-2015.pdf. Most wells in the Cedar Lake area likely yield less than 10 gallons per minute.
Despite these limitations, the aquifer has supplied water to households in the Cedar Lake community for more than 60 years without reports of wells going dry. Only after the construction of 2 dams in the upper part of the watershed have residents reported noticeable declines in well yield and water availability.
Dams 5 & 6
Cedar Lake is fed mainly by two tributaries that drain the small watershed. Dams were built on both tributaries, each located on private property in the upper portion of the watershed. Dam 5 was completed in 2005 and has an estimated normal storage capacity of 3.5 acre-feet (OWRB Open Records Request, 2025). Dam 6, completed in 2019, has a much larger estimated normal storage capacity of 71.2 acre-feet. (Additional dams 1–4, located in a neighboring watershed, are not included in this discussion).
Dam 5 captures runoff from about 0.22 square miles (141.4 acres), while Dam 6 captures runoff from about 0.30 square miles (188.8 acres). Combined, the areas upstream of Dams 5 and 6 make up roughly 39 percent of the total Cedar Lake watershed (StreamStats).
Because Dams 5 and 6 capture runoff from almost 40% of the watershed, the decline in lake levels and well yields reported after 2021 corresponds with the period following the construction of Dam 6. With less streamflow reaching Cedar Lake, less water is available to maintain lake levels and recharge the underlying aquifer that supplies water to domestic wells.
Other potential influences on water levels
It's important to note that there are no large-volume wells in the watershed, and OWRB records show that only 8 new wells have been drilled since 2019—several of which were replacements for older abandoned or dry wells (Groundwater Well Record Search | Oklahoma Water Resources Board Data Hub). Based on available information, there has been no substantial increase in household water use that would, on its own, account for the declining water levels observed in the watershed.
Land use and cover in the watershed were evaluated from 2000 to 2024 to identify any changes that might contribute to increased water use (www.mrlc.gov/data). Aside from the construction of the dams in 2005 and 2019 and the associated impoundment of water, no significant land-cover changes were detected over the 24-year period. The 2024 land-cover data show that the watershed is dominated by grassland (44%) and evergreen and deciduous forest (29%). Developed areas account for approximately 16%, while cultivated crops represent about 5% and open water makes up the remaining 6%.
Drought can also affect groundwater levels in the Cedar Lake area, but it is not the primary reason water levels have declined since 2022. Long‑term climate data from the Oklahoma Climatological Survey show that central Oklahoma has actually been in a wet period since 2013, meaning rainfall has generally been higher than average (Precipitation History Graphs | Mesonet. At the same time, temperatures have risen about 2.5°F above normal, which increases evaporation and reduces the amount of precipitation recharging the aquifer (Precipitation History Graphs | Mesonet). As of summer 2026, central Oklahoma is in severe drought, and that can temporarily lower streamflow and groundwater levels (Contiguous U.S. | U.S. Drought Monitor). However, short‑term droughts usually do not cause major aquifer declines independently—long‑term precipitation patterns have a much stronger effect on groundwater levels. So while current drought conditions may be adding stress, they do not fully explain the downward trend in water levels beginning in 2022.
Survey for a solution--Water-Supply Status
It is not known how many domestic wells have been affected by declining water levels, however Survey for a Solution responses provide a partial picture: 20 wells were reported as dry, either completely or seasonably dry (e.g. summer); 29 wells were described as producing limited amounts of water, often with low pressure or slow recovery after use; and 10 wells were reported to be reliable, with no noticeable limitations.
The map below shows the water‑supply status of wells surrounding the reservoir based on these survey responses.
When did well owners first notice a change?
When respondents were asked when they first noticed a change in their water supply, 34 out of 35 reported that the change occurred after 2021—starting about three years after dam 6 was constructed in 2019.
Respondents were also asked whether their well had ever gone dry before 2015, roughly four years before dam 6 was built. Twenty‑three said no, twenty‑five said they did not know, and one respondent reported that their well had gone dry prior to 2015.
Is water supply related to lake levels?
When asked whether their well yield is related to the water level in Cedar Lake—for example, whether wells produce less water or go dry when the lake is low—Survey for a Solution responses indicate that lake levels do influence groundwater levels and well yield for many well owners.
Of the 43 respondents, 37% said their well yield does depend on the lake’s water level. Nineteen percent said it does not, 38% were unsure, and 6% said the relationship occurs sometimes.
Water Quality Changes
When asked about changes in water quality over the past 10 years, most respondents reported worsening water quality alongside problems with water supply. With less fresh surface water flowing into Cedar Lake—and therefore less recharge to the aquifer—there is reduced dilution of naturally mineralized groundwater. Respondents described this as increased hardness (scale buildup), along with annoying tastes and odors. Many also reported higher amounts of silt, clay, or cloudiness in their water, which is common in wells when groundwater levels decline.
When asked about modifications made to increase well yield, common responses included lowering the pump, installing a larger pressure tank, or adding storage tanks. Many respondents reported making no changes and instead haul water for household use.
Water Use and Water Treatment
When residents were asked how they use their water, 52% of respondents reported using it for non‑consumptive purposes only, such as bathing, washing, and outdoor use. Forty‑four percent said they use their well water for all household needs, including drinking and cooking. Only a small number of respondents reported not using their well water at all.
Regarding water treatment, 41% of respondents said they do not treat their water before use. The remaining 59% reported using treatment methods such as water softeners, reverse osmosis, carbon filters, or other systems to make the water more suitable for drinking and household use.
Summary
Survey information was collected during May and June 2026. All information in this report was compiled and written by Carol Becker, Johnson-Becker, LLC. Please direct any questions or comments about this page to johnsonbecker.llc@gmail.com
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