Phase II River Development Meeting

[waterboy]

The Tulsa meeting last nite detailed the results of hydrology studies, areas of opportunity and constraints, feasibility summaries and possible development along the river. There was a lot to digest and it was a large crowd.

Most of my doubts about this group were erased. Most of my concerns have been addressed and from my perspective at least, I am confidant they are arriving at the correct solutions. The original 7 dams have been narrowed to 2 that are most feasible, Jenks and Sand Springs. 2 others may follow. I like the physical sites of the dams...Jenks below Creek Exprwy and Sand Springs below hwy 97. The dams have numerous gates to ease siltation and the Zink dam will receive additional gates. The Crow Creek tie in to Brookside, even though controversial, is a great concept.

I am excited by what I saw and the thought involved. Jenks of course will be well situated with the Aquarium, shopping, the casino and such. A roughly 3 mile shallow lake will extend up to Turkey Mtn. I want to do those ferries.

But I was blown away at the potential for Sand Springs in conjunction with re-development of their hiway corridor. Main street runs right to the lake and its a beautiful part of the river. Its physically a larger lake running 4.8 miles upstream to the Shell Creek area and about 8ft deep at the dam.

My airboats will be welcome according to the program director and other team members and no one seemed to know anything about regulating them off the river. Or admitted it anyway. They will be important in tying the areas together as there is no popular interest in locks and dams on the river.

My main interest was in the nature of the lakes and dams rather than the land development. Obviously there was some fantasizing going on in the shorline development especially around the populated Tulsa area and there is room for improvement for sure (placing loading ramps below the dams?) but they are listening. And I am sure they are also reading (this forum).
Did anyone else attend?