Layers of brick and weeds dominate the area making it hard to walk through when the lake is dry.

Interest in providing irrigation water to farmers in the region prompted the U.S. Government to authorize construction of a larger reservoir in the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1938.

There is also an extensive system of canals leaving Lake Altus in order to deliver the irrigation water to farmland.

An 8-year drought that had largely depleted the lake ended in the Spring of 2015, when storms delivered 17.1 inches (43 cm) of rain in 60 days.

[a] The heavy rains caused local flooding and property damage in the Quartz Mountain Nature Park.

The Altus Dam flood gates had to be opened to relieve excess water, after the lake reached its normal capacity.

Incorporated within the dam section are both controlled and uncontrolled overflow-type spillways and an irrigation outlet works which delivers water into the project canal system.

Public recreation facilities of all types are available, including an 18-hole golf course, lodging at Quartz Mountain Resort, Arts & Conference Center, grocery store, organized group camps, recreation-vehicle pads, tent spaces, two swimming beaches, boat launching ramps, trailer spaces, campgrounds, picnic areas with shelters and tables, drinking water, restrooms, hiking trails, and access roads with parking.

Once reconstruction was completed, ownership of the lodge was transferred from the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department to the Regents for Higher Education who manages the property currently.

After conducting a four-day survey in April 2013, using electrofishing and gill netting, they found no live fish.

When it appeared that a solid population of forage fish was present, the restocking began with largemouth bass, crappie, walleye and channel catfish.

But sampling conducted in May 2015 showed the lake was virtually lifeless again, apparently as a result of another golden algae bloom in the summer of 2014.