TULSA, Okla. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District, announced today the implementation of a new Skiatook Lake water quality release plan, which began March 3, to provide more flexibility in discharges of water while maintaining downstream environmental protection and water quality standards.
The Indian Nations Council of Governments’ (INCOG) request for a minor permit modification was approved by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ), Friday, Feb. 27. The modification changes where Bird Creek flows are measured from a United States Geological Survey (USGS) gauging station, near Sperry, to an alternate USGS gauge located further downstream, near Owasso. The requested modification also includes allowing 72-hour rolling average measurements to be used to determine minimum flows.
“If this is as successful as we think it will be, surrounding communities will benefit from lake levels not going down any further than necessary, which in turn supports continued recreation,” said Mike Abate, Chief, Civil Works Branch, USACE-Tulsa. “INCOG, the City of Tulsa, ODEQ, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB), the USGS, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) and the Corps all rolled up our sleeves, focused on solutions and cooperated in a ‘good faith’ effort to get this done.”
According to Abate, the temporary permit modifications will allow added flexibility in how downstream releases are performed and will also allow the release schedule to better adapt to watershed conditions and downstream needs.
“By limiting releases and withholding water when downstream needs are met by natural flows, we can preserve the lake levels in ways that weren't available before,” said Abate. "Ongoing monitoring and surveillance will ultimately determine what level of flow reduction is sustainable and protective of downstream uses and minimum flows will be met or exceeded."
“All parameters monitored in the past will continue to be monitored and minimum flow requirements for Bird Creek have not been changed,” added Abate. “This should ensure that adequate flows will be maintained to meet OPDES permit requirements and other downstream beneficial uses.”
The Owasso gauge was not available when the original Water Quality Management Plan was developed for discharge of water at the lake,” said Abate. “Changing the gauge from Sperry to Owasso will provide a better view of upstream flows to allow preservation of the lake level as long as possible and ensure people continue to have access to all the recreational activities this superb lake has to offer.”
The gauge change is the result of an Oct. 24, 2014, Interagency Drought Management Committee (IDMC) meeting in Skiatook, the purpose of which was to explore solutions for conserving water at the lake, especially as it pertains to required conservation pool releases for water quality.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the interagency team that came together to take on the many challenges we face during this period of persistent drought,” said Col. Richard A. Pratt, Commander and District Engineer, USACE-Tulsa. “Our team of hydraulic engineers joined forces with state and local officials to successfully develop this initiative and help further improve our overall conservation efforts at Skiatook.”
Low lake levels are the result of drought conditions and below normal inflows into the watershed above Skiatook Lake. These weather patterns have been in effect since 2010, with little relief. In addition to providing flood control and recreation, Skiatook Lake's authorized purposes also include water supply and water quality. Water quality flow releases are made year round to augment the natural flow of water in Bird Creek, downstream of the dam. Downstream releases are necessary to avoid fish kills, maintain the aquatic biota and prevent violation of OPDES permit conditions for city public works projects. Corps officials state that this is a weather problem, not a use or operations problem, and only significant runoff in the watershed will solve the problem.
The Corps and the other agencies involved with this OPDES permit modification and new water release structure will schedule a public meeting to inform the public about the changes and to accept comments.
Despite the impact persistent drought conditions have had on the region, Lee Perry, the Corps’ Skiatook Lake Manager is looking forward to a good year of recreation on the lake.
“We still have plenty of water to accommodate boating and a full range of recreational activities throughout the year,” said Perry. “We’re looking forward to a good fishing season and encourage everyone to take advantage of all Skiatook has to offer.”
Additional information about Skiatook Lake is available on our Tulsa District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website.
-30-