Thread: Oklahoma River Development

Pretty good progress along the banks of the river just east of the Devon Boathouse. Got some pictures and will try to post later.

About every 6 months or so I like to ask about what's going on with the OU and UCO boathouses, the former of which has supposedly been funded for quite a while now.

I have a feeling the funding for the OU boathouse has either fallen through or been delayed.

They received several large pledges and perhaps one or more of them have not come through.


Otherwise, the crazy-long delays make no sense. OU already has a rowing team and the site was prepped for them over a year ago.

We keep hearing they are still in design phase but that simply can't be the hold-up at this point.

I said this elsewhere and was promptly chastised for suggesting that there's something else going on. But there's definitely something going on that's resulting in delay after delay.

Construction points to progress along Oklahoma River

" MAPS 3 Oklahoma River Lighting
Construction is underway to install 12 stadium style light poles in the Oklahoma River’s Boathouse District as a part of MAPS 3. The work includes the pouring of foundation, placement of conduit and installation of electrical cables and transformers.

“This project will add a new dimension, not only to the rowing on the river, but to many more activities which will emerge as this part of the Oklahoma River continues to mature,” MAPS 3 Program Manager David Todd said.

The lighting will be placed between the Lincoln Boulevard bridge and the Interstate-35 bridge. The project is expected to be completed in May 2013. The lights will be used for night racing and other evening events along the Oklahoma River. "

Construction begins on latest additions to Oklahoma City's Boathouse District | NewsOK.com

One of the gates at the Eastern gate was open and river is down to just mud to the west of this gate. Is this because of construction or did the dam break again?

Originally Posted by jn1780

One of the gates at the Eastern gate was open and river is down to just mud to the west of this gate. Is this because of construction or did the dam break again?

Yeah, I noticed that. What is the deal? It looks horrible. :/

Originally Posted by jn1780

One of the gates at the Eastern gate was open and river is down to just mud to the west of this gate. Is this because of construction or did the dam break again?

Construction, I think the estimate for it being down was around three months

It looks like they have started the canal extension under I-40. You need to lower the water level so it doesn't flood your work site.

Originally Posted by jonno

It looks like they have started the canal extension under I-40. You need to lower the water level so it doesn't flood your work site.

Since the canal extension is not connected to the river how could the work site get flooded?

Originally Posted by ljbab728

Since the canal extension is not connected to the river how could the work site get flooded?

Well, its not a canal extension. Its a river extension under I-40 to bring it closer to the canal.

I thought they would set up a cofferdam though and wouldn't have to drain the river this earlier in construction.

The canal is not being extended. The river is being extended to the canal. The inlet, where the boats that cruise the river dock, is being extended under the interstate to within a few feet of where the canal terminates.

You're correct. That does make sense.

Originally Posted by jn1780

Well, its not a canal extension. Its a river extension under I-40 to bring it closer to the canal.

I thought they would set up a cofferdam though and wouldn't have to drain the river this earlier in construction.

It is much cheaper not to do a dam (I think the estimate for a dam would have been a 1/3rd of the budget of the extension) and they would rather it be down in this part of the year because this is the part of the year it is least it is used.

Originally Posted by Snowman

It is much cheaper not to do a dam (I think the estimate for a dam would have been a 1/3rd of the budget of the extension) and they would rather it be down in this part of the year because this is the part of the year it is least it is used.

Yeah, I can see that. Plus, I just saw a news article saying their putting in a sewer line under the river so it was going to have to be lowered anyway.

My question is where in the world will they get water to refill the river?? If Overholser is extremely low AND Hefner is low AND Canton Lake (were all of the water originates) is low - where will the replacement water come from??? Might have been wiser to hold off on such improvements until adequate water is available...yes?

Originally Posted by bucktalk

My question is where in the world will they get water to refill the river?? If Overholser is extremely low AND Hefner is low AND Canton Lake (were all of the water originates) is low - where will the replacement water come from??? Might have been wiser to hold off on such improvements until adequate water is available...yes?

The river fills up fast when it actually does rain since excess stormwater drains into into. Should get a little bit of rain in the spring when their ready to fill it back up. (Knock on wood). lol

Originally Posted by bucktalk

My question is where in the world will they get water to refill the river?? If Overholser is extremely low AND Hefner is low AND Canton Lake (were all of the water originates) is low - where will the replacement water come from??? Might have been wiser to hold off on such improvements until adequate water is available...yes?

A couple things to keep in mind. The drought was worse along the entire rough of the North Canadian to here than it was here, and we get more that twice the rain most of the route when none are in a drought. I do not know what percentage comes from city storm water drains and creeks west of the city, but I can certainly confirm that enough volume comes that it has the energy to transport a lots of debris with it when the city does get more than a light rain. While a couple times water has been released into the river basin, the vast majority of the time if any water was flowing from the North Canadian they impounded as much as possible in Hefner or Overholser. The entire volume of water contained in the river is less than the volume of a foot of water at Hefner or Overholser. Hefner and Overholser would still be in roughly the same condition if the river dams did not exist.

Originally Posted by Snowman

A couple things to keep in mind. The drought was worse along the entire rough of the North Canadian to here than it was here, and we get more that twice the rain most of the route when neither are in a drought. I do not know what percentage comes from city storm water drains and creeks west of the city, but I can certainly confirm that enough volume comes that it has the energy to transport a lots of debris with it when the city does get rain. While a couple times water has been released into the river basin, the vast majority of the time if any water was flowing from the North Canadian they impounded as much as possible in Hefner or Overholser. The entire volume of water contained in the river is less than the volume of a foot of water at Hefner or Overholser. Hefner and Overholser would still be in roughly the same condition if the river dams did not exist.

What is this thing called "Rain" that everyone is talking about?

Seriously,we have been in a serious drought for about 7 years now. How long can this last? Is this a result of global warming or just a bump in the road? Someone surely knows....

Originally Posted by Snowman

A couple things to keep in mind. The drought was worse along the entire rough of the North Canadian to here than it was here, and we get more that twice the rain most of the route when neither are in a drought. I do not know what percentage comes from city storm water drains, but I can certainly confirm that enough volume comes that it has the energy to transport a lots of debris with it when the city does get rain. While a couple times water has been released in to the river basin, the vast majority of the time if any water was flowing from the North Canadian they impounded as much as possible in Hefner or Overholser. The entire volume of water contained in the river is less than the volume of a foot of water at Hefner or Overholser. Hefner and Overholser would still be in roughly the same condition if the river dams did not exist.

I think they only release water at Overholser when they want to fill the river up faster. If you follower the path of the North Canadian river. North of Overholser by 39th street is where it branches off into Overholser and Hefner. From there it goes into its own little canal right beside the lake so that they can maintain a natural river current. That natural river current is what keeps the river Oklahoma filled up .

We need another 30 straight days of rain like we had 4 or 5 years ago. That would help out our aquifers as well.

Nothing to worry about, everytime a soul in Yukon flushes their toilet, it gets passed on down the River to OKC...................

I heard a rumor today that there may be plans for an amphitheater on the south side of the river just east of Western. Has anyone else heard of this? From what I heard, the guy that ran the Zoo Amp lost the contract and is looking to build his own venue. My source has seen the plans and said they include retail spaces as well. This could be one of those things that never see the light of day because of the lack of funding, but if it came to pass that would be an awesome addition to the river front.