Constructed wetlands in the wetland reserve program on the Deep Fork River

The Deep Fork River, located in central Oklahoma, was partially dredged from 1912 to 1923 at a cost of $700,000 to put more acres into agricultural production. Dredging began in the upper part of the watershed in Oklahoma and Lincoln counties. Due to political and financial concerns the dredging stopped at the east side of Lincoln County. The river has continued to flood over the years and in places is trying to go back to the original channel. The Deep Fork is in an important migratory waterfowl flyway and the wetlands along the river have received national attention. The Wetland Reserve Program administered by the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service purchases easements on qualifying lands and uses constructed wetlands to restore wetland hydrology to these areas. One of the properties signed up into the program is the Jackson property located in Lincoln County where Dry Creek flows into the Deep Fork. The property consists of 161 acres with Dry Creek along the north side of the property and Deep Fork to the east. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through their Partners for Wildlife program has already installed over 6,000 feet of dikes and two water control structures. The Natural Resources Conservation Service utilizing Wetland Reserve Program monies will install another 2,500 feet of dike and another water control structure. The two water control structures already installed are used to drain the area during the summer months to control unwanted vegetation. The water control structure installed this summer will be used to let water into the wetland area from high flows in Dry Creek.