In 1917, the City of Oklahoma City annexed 27.02 acres to protect the water supply system. It was originally named the rather unattractive Lake Overholser Sedimentation Basin because of the four lakes, or basins. As water flows in from the North Canadian River, it is held in Lake Overholser, which backfills into the basins in the refuge. After the water in the basins settles and sediment drops to the bottom, it travels along the Lake Hefner Canal, past the canal goats, and into Lake Hefner, where it will be treated for use in our homes.

In 1983, after the Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust and the Parks and Recreation Department decided to work together to preserve the area as a wildlife refuge, the Oklahoma City Council changed the name to Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge in honor of Lee Stinchcomb and the Stinchcomb family.