TULSA, Okla. — The Tulsa District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today that the Broken Bow powerhouse is offline for repair work. During this time, flood releases will be generated from the flood gates into the trout stream below.
Because the repair work involves the penstocks, the water intake structures for the hydropower units, flood releases cannot run through the powerhouse, which is the normal procedure at Broken Bow. Repair work should take approximately six weeks to complete.
Flood releases from these gates are rare, but due to the repair work and onset of the spring rain season there is a high probability the releases will temporarily continue from the gates until the powerhouse repair work is complete. The result of this deviation from normal practice is that flood releases will travel through the trout stream and Broken Bow State Park rather than bypassing this area as would normally be done by hydropower releases.
A notification system consisting of a loud siren horn is currently in place to warn visitors of rising water, before a flood release, to allow time for them to clear the area and the Corps is taking steps to upgrade various notification systems during this time of repair work. A warning siren will sound prior to the release and park rangers will inspect/check the area to ensure visitors are aware of the planned flood release. Signs warning of the possibility of water releases will be posted throughout the area, including parking lots, hiking trails and stream access points.
The public should always exercise caution when recreating downstream of a dam and or floodgates and heed all alerts to seek higher ground should the need arise. The sounding of this siren indicates a water release is imminent. Make a point of visually monitoring the water level where you are located to determine a safe spot on the riverbank that is higher ground and move to that place quickly. A great rule of water safety is to always wear a life jacket.
The Broken Bow Dam and powerhouse are located on the Mountain Fork River approximately 9 miles north-northeast of Broken Bow in McCurtain County in southeast Oklahoma.
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Release no. 15-013