Oklahoma is near the center of the United States, and the landscape changes from west to east. The western part of the state is marked by high plains with few or no trees. But the land slopes downward toward the east. The highest point in Oklahoma is 4,973 feet (1,516 meters), at Black Mesa, in the westernmost part of the state's Panhandle. The lowest point is about 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of the southeast corner of the state, at 287 feet (88 meters).
The Mountains of Oklahoma
Oklahoma has plains, small mountains, hills, lakes, and streams. The largest mountain ranges are
the Wichitas, Arbuckles, and Ouachitas. They are located in the southern part of the state. Mount Scott (2,464 feet or 751 meters), Rich Mountain (2,666 feet or 813 meters), and Sugar Loaf Mountain (2,568 feet or 783 meters) are the best-known peaks. The Glass Mountains rise in northwestern Oklahoma. They are not really mountains; rather, they are mesas and buttes. The highest butte is about 1,585 feet (483 meters) tall.Sites of interest in the Arbuckle Mountains are Turner Falls and the Arbuckle Wilderness Park. Turner Falls is a natural waterfall, over rock, into a pool of water set in rock. The Arbuckle Wilderness Park is a drive-through animal park with many wild animals on display. A popular site in the Ouachita Mountains is Robbers Cave. This cave was home to outlaws during the Wild West days. Northeastern Oklahoma has many clear-water lakes and beautiful state parks.
Natural Resources
Oklahoma has many areas that produce crude oil, natural gas, and minerals. Coal, lead, zinc, shale, cement, iron ore, tar, gypsum, limestone, granite, sand, and gravel are some of the minerals mined. The world-famous Tri-State lead- and zinc-mining district includes northeastern Oklahoma. The district led zinc production in the United States for many years. The mineral industry is the greatest source of money for the state. Rock and soil of western Oklahoma are red in color because they are rich in iron oxide.
Water
All the major lakes of Oklahoma are human-made. They are used for flood control, water supply, recreation, and generation of electric power. All the major streams in Oklahoma are wide, sand-filled channels. The active water is only a small part of the riverbed. The wide channels are the result of floods in the past.
Human-made dams have decreased the number and size of the floods. Lakes on the Arkansas and Verdigris Rivers help with travel along the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. Farmers and landowners have built many
small lakes and ponds. The largest lake is Eufaula Lake (155 square miles or 401 square kilometers), on the CanadianRiver in eastern Oklahoma.
Oklahoma has two major drainage basins, the Red River and Arkansas River basins. The rivers and their tributaries flow to the east and southeast across the state. The Arkansas River and its tributaries drain the northern two-thirds of Oklahoma. Major tributaries to the Arkansas include the Canadian, North Canadian, Deep Fork, Cimarron, Salt Fork, Verdigris, and Illinois Rivers. The lowest elevation on the Arkansas River in Oklahoma is 385 feet (117 meters). Six of Oklahoma's streams have been officially designated scenic rivers and are protected by the state. One of these scenic rivers is the Illinois River.
The Salt Plains of Oklahoma
Several natural salt flats exist in the western part of the state. A salt flat, also called a salt plain, forms when a layer of salt located near the surface of a region seeps up. The Great Salt Plains area covers about 25 square miles (65 square kilometers) and is the largest salt flat in the state. Other salt flats in northwestern Oklahoma include the Big, Little, Ferguson, Chaney, Kiser, and Robinson Salt Plains. All Oklahoma salt plains give off salt into river systems and make the water quality poor for business, city, or farming uses. The salt level falls when freshwater enters downstream and the rivers become more usable.
Wildlife and Plants
Small animals live in Oklahoma's grassy plains. The most common is the prairie dog, although coyotes and armadillos are found fairly often. About 20 percent of the state is forested, and deer, rabbit, and squirrels make their homes in the forest. Many birds nest in the prairies, including meadowlarks and mockingbirds. Sportfishing yields catches of paddlefish, drums, and catfish.
Among the endangered animals in Oklahoma are the gray bat, the whooping crane, and the American burying beetle. Endangered plants include the eastern prairie fringed orchid.
The state is basically grass-covered, with various varieties of grass found in most areas of Oklahoma. Common short grasses are buffalo grass, wire grass, and grama grass. Tall grasses that are most closely associated with prairies include bluestem and sand grass. Common wildflowers in the state include sunflowers and petunias, along with daisies, black-eyed Susans, and spiderwort.
Citation: Johnny Maldonado on “Exploring Oklahoma” 2009