Low Water Dams

Summary Update:

River Projects:  The Arkansas River Corridor Master Plan (Phases I and II) was completed in late 2005, sponsored and produced by INCOG and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and was adopted by TMAPC, the City of Tulsa and Tulsa County Commission as an element of the Tulsa’s and Tulsa County’s Comprehensive Plan in March 2006.  Phase III of the process was completed in February 2009, under a contract with Tulsa County and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  The purpose of the Phase III effort was to collect seasonal environmental inventory and baseline conditions information in the river, to evaluate potential low water dam designs and operation strategies to improve the Arkansas River’s flow regime, sediment management, dam safety and habitat conditions.  

Arkansas River Low-Water Dams:  Public scoping meetings were held in September 2009 at Jenks City Hall, Tulsa Central Library Aaronson Auditorium and at the Sand Springs Case Community Center.  The first $90,000 of the $50,000,000 authorized by the 2007 WRDA Bill has been approved.  The funds are being utilized by the Corps of Engineers to develop the required Reconnaissance Report and Feasibility Cost Share Agreement.  The Corps has programmed execution of the cost share agreement for October 2010.  Tulsa County and INCOG have been awarded a $500,000 grant from EDA to be matched equally with Vision 2025 funds for the initial phase of the engineering design of the river projects.  The consultant’s authorized work is very near completion.

Background:

Vision 2025 funds will be utilized to construct two low water dams, which along with Zink Lake, will provide a series of lakes in the Arkansas River corridor. These low water dams will enhance the Tulsa area’s most visible physical asset by creating a series of urban lakes within the river channel. The more consistent water level in the river will add to its scenic beauty while also enhancing fishing and support other water-based recreational activities. This local funding is a key component in attracting federal money for the dams and other river channel improvements and will also serve as a catalyst for private investment. This series of lakes, created by low water dams and other improvements in the corridor, will make the Arkansas River more attractive and usable year round. Exact locations of the dams will be determined by a planning and engineering study, which is part of the upcoming Arkansas River Corridor Master Plan which is being conducted in partnership with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and local stakeholders.

No projects listed in this category at this time.