Someone Trying to Make a Point?

[TheArtist]

Oh get over it.  First off any shoreline development will have the same problem.  Are you saying no development along the river in Sand Springs, Tulsa, Jenks, Bixby, BA?  Even if it did flood over ground level which will be built to the same height as the Riverwalk, aquarium, cityplex, etc. the people on the island will be aware of any possible flooding events and can walk upstairs or leave if they are on a ground floor.

I remember sandbags being put in front of the hotel there in front of the Wal-Mart during the 84 flood.  I had a friend visiting me from out of town during that flood.  You just waded through the danged lobby and went upstairs lol. People are able to walk up a flight of stairs.  They aren't going to have single family homes on the island it will have mostly high rise and multi level condominium units.  Not to mention it was all over the news that the river was going to be rising, they kept interrupting programs at night and in the morning to let people know when the water was coming and at what height to expect.  The people caught off guard the most were the ones in other parts of the city where creeks and streets flash flooded.

Remember that flood was basically 2 floods. The rainfall that suddenly flooded large parts of the city not just the river but even in West Tulsa. Then there was the already over full river that was then flooded by the corps having to release even more water to prevent the dam from breaking. They would say the crest is going to hit Tulsa at such and such a time, Bixby at this time etc.

Now we have much better flood control in the rest of the city and new building codes for on or in the river that they didn't have then.  The new development would have to be just as high as the riverwalk or any other development along the river and most people would live even above that. I find it highly unlikely that the people on the island wont be paying attention to the possibility of any flooding and I also find it highly unlikely that that part of the river is going to flash flood like the creeks did and catch them off guard.

I would be more worried about a lot of the new homes developed in Bixby and BA than on the island (take a look at that new Waterstone development for instance). Also remember most of the deaths were from people in cars and many were from flooded creek areas like Mingo Creek, and many of the homes and trailers that were in the absolute worst areas were removed.

[shadows]

As the men from FEMA the city brought in at the meeting said “Even the farmers know better than build in the creek bottom�.

[Rico]

quote:Originally posted by shadows

As the men from FEMA the city brought in at the meeting said “Even the farmers know better than build in the creek bottom�.

Hey Shadow man... You finally made bail...?

Thought they may have done away with you.[}:)]

[waterboy]

quote:Originally posted by wavoka

Not sure if it still the case....but back in early August a buddy of mine who is an underwater welder told me he was getting ready to do some work out at Keystone Dam.

Take it for what's it is worth....but seems that could have something to do with this.

That makes sense. Not as exciting as a conspiracy but more probable. thanks

[brunoflipper]

quote:Originally posted by Rico

quote:Originally posted by shadows

As the men from FEMA the city brought in at the meeting said “Even the farmers know better than build in the creek bottom�.

Hey Shadow man... You finally made bail...?

Thought they may have done away with you.[}:)]

i thought he was dead for sure...
shadows- glad to see your still kickin'...

[shadows]

quote:Originally posted by brunoflipper

quote:Originally posted by Rico

quote:Originally posted by shadows

As the men from FEMA the city brought in at the meeting said “Even the farmers know better than build in the creek bottom�.

Hey Shadow man... You finally made bail...?

Thought they may have done away with you.[}:)]

i thought he was dead for sure...
shadows- glad to see your still kickin'...

Naw! there is a time to speak and a time to listen.   I have been listening.  

[BixB]

FROM THE CORPS WEBSITE:

Corps in drought management mode
October 23, 2006 41

Synopsis:   Some lakes reach record lows. Elk City Lake in Kansas is in Drought Level 2.

TULSA, Okla. - As drought in this region continues, water levels in Corps of Engineers reservoirs are watched closely. Five reservoirs that Tulsa District manages for flood control reached record low pool elevations this month. They are Skiatook and Thunderbird in the Arkansas River Basin and Tom Steed, Pat Mayse, and Waurika in the Red River Basin.
Several reservoirs are below 70 percent of their conservation pool: Elk City, Canton, Heyburn, Pat Mayse, Fort Supply, Keystone, and Skiatook.

The Tulsa District operates under a Drought Management and Reporting Plan that requires specific actions at various stages as reservoirs drop. Drought Level I is the level at which most lakes are operating. It is considered the normal level in drought conditions.

During Drought Level 1, the Corps monitors storage, withdrawals, and low flow releases; manipulates outlet works to minimize leakage; and begins water storage accounting.

Elk City Lake in Kansas, at 45 percent of its conversation pool and 7 feet below normal, is now in Level 2.

At Drought Level 2, in addition to the above measures, the Corps Drought Management Committee is activated and Southwestern Power is requested to limit generation as much as possible. Pool elevations are projected and water resources boards are notified when 50 percent of the conservation storage remains. Contracted water users are notified when they have exceeded 50 percent of their storage allocation. News releases are issued to keep the public informed.

No matter the drought stage, the Corps website www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil. always provides current water level information Special lake information notices are also posted on the district's homepage at http://www.swt.usace.army.mil

--30----------------------

If you look at the text of the Lake Information Recording for this morning you'll see that there are no releases of water scheduled today for not only Keystone but also Ft. Gibson, Grand, Hudson, Kaw, and Oolagah. The conservation pool level at Keystone is currently reported at only 68.83% full and is about 4.25 feet below normal.  The river flow above Keystone at the gage at Ralston is currently around 180cfs.   This is a miniscule amount.  All of this information can be found at http://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/

It looks like the long and short of it is that there just isn't any water to fill up the riverbed with right now, and I'm sure the Corps is more concerned with the effects of low flows and low water at the Lake itself (like impacts on water supply, boating, fishing, marina docks, etc.) than they are about the aesthetics of the riverbed near Tulsa.

[mspivey]

There goes the "grassy knoll" theory. What a spoil-sport.

[waterboy]

Thanks, BixBy. Seems like when the Corps sent out a press release detailing why the drought conditions warrant drying up the river, our local rag might have considered that worthy of reporting to the public.  Seeing as the river snakes through the city for 20 miles or so and we are being asked to spend money on developing it. But no, we got a story on how OU president Boren got lots of e-mails because of his complaints to the NCAA. Guess you have to set your priorities eh?

[Conan71]

I notice Oologah is getting lower.  I'm curious what all this could do to the Kerr-McClellan navigation channel.  Have we had this sort of drought conditions since they started navigating up to Catoosa?

[TheArtist]

Thanks BixB.  I finally got one right lol.[]

[shadows]

Artist quoted:
I remember sandbags being put in front of the hotel there in front of the Wal-Mart during the 84 flood. I had a friend visiting me from out of town during that flood. You just waded through the danged lobby and went upstairs lol.
---------------------------------------------

I filled sand bags on riverside drive in floods before the 84 flood to protect Brookside but your point is well taken.   If we use the plan to restrict the river bed then SWM in the next flood can set signs in the middle of the road restricting traffic to boats only and patrons to the area wearing hip boots.   Hindsight is so much clearer than foresight.  

We can dam the river and pass an ordinance prohibiting the corps from releasing water that will flood the new developments.  There is a simple solution for every problem.  Let get going on creating another problem in a dying city