An effort to refill Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City after a dry summer produced an unusual wildlife scene: Otters rode the current, and a bald eagle appeared above the water and nearby woods.
KOCO's Sky 5 crew captured the animals during the release.
Here's what to know
After a dry summer left Lake Hefner down at least 8 feet, Oklahoma City sent 16,000 acre-feet of water, about 5.2 billion gallons, from Canton Lake to restore its levels, the outlet reported.
Not far from El Reno, pilot Chase Rutledge and photojournalist Francisco Hidalgo recorded four otters moving through the water. The animals swam with the flow, passing through high vegetation, and then clambered onto a bank.
The crew also spotted a bald eagle circling above the water and surrounding woods.
@koco5news SO COOL! 🦦 Water is being released from Canton Lake to help fill Lake Hefner after a dry summer, and Sky 5 saw some otters in the path of the water release. #news #cool #otters #water #oklahoma ♬ original sound - KOCO 5 News
Oklahoma City officials said the transfer was expected to raise Lake Hefner by roughly 4 feet while lowering Canton Lake by about 3.5 feet, per KOCO.
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More background
Lake Hefner is an important part of Oklahoma City's water system, and major declines in reservoir levels can affect households, recreation, and water management.
Drought can ripple through entire ecosystems. When waterways shrink or shift, animals must adapt to changing conditions, whether that means finding new feeding grounds, navigating altered channels, or taking advantage of temporary flows.
What's being done?
By moving water from Canton Lake to Lake Hefner, Oklahoma City officials were trying to stabilize supplies.
Such balancing acts are becoming increasingly important as communities face higher temperatures and more volatile weather patterns. Strategic releases, close monitoring, and coordination can ease pressure on drinking water systems while buying time during dry periods.
Thoughtful management of lakes and rivers can support both community resilience and the wildlife that depends on connected habitats.
Where can I learn more?
Drought, water transfers, and conservation efforts are affecting lakes across the West.
• In Wichita Falls, mapping showed lakes reawaken following yearslong drought.
• In West Texas, a major reservoir got a huge increase after rains.
• In Oregon, Army Corps managers tracked 13 reservoirs after a warm wintered deepen drought pressure.
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