Focused on environmental stewardship ...

The Grand River Dam Authority was established in 1935 to be a “conservation and reclamation district for the waters of the Grand River.” Ever since, GRDA has managed, preserved and protected some of Oklahoma’s most valuable waters and natural resources.

GRDA is second only to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) in jurisdiction over state waters. These waters include Grand Lake, Lake Hudson, the W.R. Holway Reservoir and the scenic Illinois River. These waters combine for over 70,000 surfaces acres of lakes and hundreds of miles of scenic shorelines and riverbanks representing not only the most popular water destinations in the region but also critical water supplies for thousands of Oklahomans. Additionally, all these waters serve as a foundation for a thriving recreation and tourism industry and an important economic development engine across a four-state region.

The GRDA Ecosystems & Watershed Management Department spearheads efforts to balance the needs of all water enthusiasts, including fish and waterfowl, while also working to protect and enhance ecosystems. One effort is Guard the Grand. Guard the Grand is an educational program with the goal of fostering an ethic of environmental stewardship in Oklahomans residing in watersheds that flow into Grand Lake.