A Survey and Assessment of the Cultural Resources-Oologah Lake Project.

The survey area of the Lake Oologah Project contains 20,650 acres of land and is located in parts of two Oklahoma counties, Rogers and Nowata. It has been inhabited during historic times by three Indian tribes and Anglo settlers. The topography is rolling prairie plains cut by the Verdigris River and a number of its tributary creeks. The lake covers the river bottom and parts of the tributaries. The largest of these creeks in relation to Oologah Lake are Big Creek to the north, Salt Creek to the northeast, Double Creek to the northwest, Spencer Creek to the southeast, and Talala Creek to the southwest. There were a total of 105 historic sites located and recorded by archaeological field crews and a historian. Activities associated with the historic sites ranged from farming and ranching to various stages of oil and gas production. Seventy-three sites with prehistoric occupations were recorded. These ranged in date from early Archaic to Protohistoric. The greatest danger to these sites are from shoreline erosion and relic hunters. Fourteen prehistoric sites and 11 historic sites are recommended for extensive testing. Thirty-five prehistoric sites and 10 historic sites are recommended for limited testing. It is recommended that serious consideration be given to nominating the Lake Oologah Project to the National Register of Historic Places due to its significance on local, regional and national levels.