Zink Dam Rehabilitation Project

[Tulsan]

There are no threads devoted to this project, and it's coming up on being bid out.  So I started a new one.

If you look at the city engineer's bid page and scroll to near the bottom you'll see the Zink Dam contractor preview: https://www.cityoftulsa.org/government/departments/engineering-services/construction-bids/.  There are all kinds of detailed drawings in that item.  A LOT of design work has occurred.  I didn't realize this project would include extensive bank stabilization and aesthetic improvements well upstream of the dam site, as well as major West Bank rehabilitation in addition to the Gathering Place shoreline and the recreational flume.

The direct link to the PDF is here - but beware, it's a very large file: https://www.cityoftulsa.org/media/11659/zink_dam_drawings_90_nov_2019_contractor_preview.pdf

Here's an example:

[SXSW]

Thanks for posting these detailed plans.  I'm excited to see this project get underway as well as the new pedestrian bridge.  What is the current timeline for completion of this project?

[ComeOnBenjals]

Thanks for posting! This should improve how the river looks upstream, correct?

[Tulsan]

Thanks for posting! This should improve how the river looks upstream, correct?

Yes it's supposed to raise the level of the river upstream of the dam by 3 feet.  I don't know how far upstream the effects will be felt. 

Thanks for posting these detailed plans.  I'm excited to see this project get underway as well as the new pedestrian bridge.  What is the current timeline for completion of this project?

According to this news story, construction could begin as early as July of this year, but I have no idea how long it will take: https://www.newson6.com/story/41419672/big-changes-planned-for-arkansas-river-in-tulsa.  Kirby Crowe will probably jump in here and answer soon.

[Vision 2025]

That link is to the 90% review set (and the plans are even bigger now) with comments recently returned to the design team on the 99% final review with bid advertisement just a few weeks away.  The Zink Dam renovation is a very exciting/transformation project that is of far more advanced technology than the exiting dam utilized and is closely coordinated with the Gathering Place and the new Ped Bridge which will be constructed at the same time with both projects utilizing the same coffer (temporary, for construction) dam for construction.  It's been a long time coming for those who have been directly involved in the corridor projects.

[rebound]

That link is to the 90% review set (and the plans are even bigger now) with comments recently returned to the design team on the 99% final review with bid advertisement just a few weeks away.  The Zink Dam renovation is a very exciting/transformation project that is far more advanced than technology than the exiting am utilized and is closely coordinated with the Gathering Place and the new Ped Bridge which will be constructed at the same time with both projects utilizing the same coffer (temporary, for construction) dam for construction.  It's been a long time coming for those who have been directly involved in the corridor projects.

That is awesome.  I'm really excited to see this happening.   And, thanks for the note on the coffer dams.   I was looking at the plans and thought, "well surely they are going to use those coffers for the bridge, too".  So, very cool.

[Tulsan]

That link is to the 90% review set (and the plans are even bigger now) with comments recently returned to the design team on the 99% final review with bid advertisement just a few weeks away.  The Zink Dam renovation is a very exciting/transformation project that is far more advanced than technology than the exiting am utilized and is closely coordinated with the Gathering Place and the new Ped Bridge which will be constructed at the same time with both projects utilizing the same coffer (temporary, for construction) dam for construction.  It's been a long time coming for those who have been directly involved in the corridor projects.

Thanks for jumping in.  I know there are a lot of variables, but what's a reasonable timeline for the dam+bridge+shoreline improvements?  Completion around 2025?

[Vision 2025]

I don't have the bridge schedule but the dam is scheduled for a two year construction period but that is highly water level dependent as the coffer dam height and flow requirements are strict in order to maintain flood flow capacity and site safety so any periods of extended high flow will cause delay and as with the original construction thee will likely be coffer dam wash outs, it happens with river work...

[Tulsan]

So assuming a summer 2020 start, and allowing 6 months for overruns, we might be looking at a completion date of Q1 2023 - three years from now.  That's not bad!  Presumably the pedestrian bridge would come online around that time as well.

[SXSW]

So assuming a summer 2020 start, and allowing 6 months for overruns, we might be looking at a completion date of Q1 2023 - three years from now.  That's not bad!  Presumably the pedestrian bridge would come online around that time as well.

Discovery Lab is scheduled to open in fall 2021 with the rest of the Phase 2 improvements at the Gathering Place coming online in 2022 so having the dam and bridge open in 2023 would be great.  The biggest question mark is what will be part of the third and final phase of the Gathering Place south of Crow Creek which hasn't been released yet. 

[SXSW]

That link is to the 90% review set (and the plans are even bigger now) with comments recently returned to the design team on the 99% final review with bid advertisement just a few weeks away.  The Zink Dam renovation is a very exciting/transformation project that is of far more advanced technology than the exiting dam utilized and is closely coordinated with the Gathering Place and the new Ped Bridge which will be constructed at the same time with both projects utilizing the same coffer (temporary, for construction) dam for construction.  It's been a long time coming for those who have been directly involved in the corridor projects.

Curious, will there still be rapids over by PSO (the "Tulsa Wave") when this project is complete, or will those shift entirely to the new set of rapids on the east side of the river?  Will there still be the remnants of the old jetty or will that be removed?

[Vision 2025]

Curious, will there still be rapids over by PSO (the "Tulsa Wave") when this project is complete, or will those shift entirely to the new set of rapids on the east side of the river?  Will there still be the remnants of the old jetty or will that be removed?

All white water features are located on the East side and have been combined into the flume which has multiple tunable drop/wave features.

[SXSW]

All white water features are located on the East side and have been combined into the flume which has multiple tunable drop/wave features.

Cool, it will be more accessible that way.  Btw here is a now-old map of the Gathering Place with how it interacts with the whitewater flume.  There are some differences and the Phase 2 area is now completely different in that the Discovery Lab is at the corner of 31st & Riverside with parking lots to the east, but the overall plan is still the same.  This also hints at what Phase 3 could look like along the south side of Crow Creek.

[SXSW]

Gathering Place posted this great aerial with downtown in the background.  Since I know the riverfront north of the dam is a work in progress in conjunction with the dam and bridge project I wanted to see what we can expect it look like when it's all finished.  Anyone know if this is still the current plan which includes the small lagoon area and partially-completed trail next to the water?  And how does that tie into the whitewater flume?

[SXSW]

Still slated to begin in September and complete in 2023.  Pedestrian bridge to start at the same time and be complete by the end of 2022.

https://www.tulsaworld.com/news/zink-dam-construction-bids-higher-than-expected-project-still-expect-to-begin-in-the-fall/article_4722697e-e1d6-5dff-98e2-3c3aeb4170c8.html