In Oklahoma, dams are not only crucial for managing water resources, but they also play a vital role in keeping residents safe and powering the state.
With over 4,700 dams, the state of Oklahoma has the fifth most dams of any state in the United States. These structures serve multiple purposes, including flood control – preventing damage to communities in low-lying areas – water supply for agricultural needs, and electricity generation. Among these thousands, four dams, Denison, Eufaula, Fort Gibson and Pensacola, are hydroelectric power producers, helping to generate renewable energy.
These functions are managed by various state and federal agencies, including the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) and the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA).
Non-Electric Dams
The OWRB is tasked with overseeing the safety of Oklahoma’s dams, primarily handling the non-hydroelectric structures.
“The OWRB regulates jurisdictional-sized, non-federal dams in Oklahoma, overseeing over 4,660 dams owned by both public and private entities,” says Julie Cunningham, the board’s executive director. “The purpose of the program is to ensure these dams are constructed and maintained in a way that will prevent a dam failure and harm to downstream lives and property.”
Employees of the OWRB conduct regular inspections, assess dam conditions and develop emergency action plans. Their work also involves coordinating with local governments and other agencies to address any safety concerns.
“Typical maintenance activities include routine inspections, monitoring water levels to prevent overtopping, clearing debris from spillways, repairing any cracks or surface damage on concrete structures, operating and testing gates and valves, and managing unwanted vegetation,” says Yohanes Sugeng, OWRB’s chief engineer. “These tasks help maintain the dam’s safety, functionality and long-term performance.”
Staff members are skilled in engineering, hydrology and water resource management, using their expertise to ensure dams continue to protect Oklahomans from the risks of flooding and infrastructure damage.
Hydroelectric Dams
Conversely, the management and operation of the state’s hydroelectric dams fall under the purview of the GRDA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The GRDA, a state agency, is responsible for operating the hydroelectric plants at Denison, Eufaula, Fort Gibson and Pensacola, the last of which was Oklahoma’s first hydroelectricity facility built in 1940.
These dams produce electricity and regulate water flow along the Grand River system, benefiting local ecosystems, recreational areas and municipal water supplies. Employees at the GRDA monitor the dams’ electrical output, maintain the machinery, and ensure that the hydroelectric plants are operating efficiently and safely.
“When rains of significant magnitude affect northeastern Oklahoma, GRDA works closely with the USACE to control the heavy flows of water along the Grand River system,” says Justin Alberty, GRDA’s communications director. “The Corps orders release rates that are consistent with downstream conditions and projected river crests. All the lakes along the Grand River, in the Arkansas River system, are operated to minimize downstream flooding, including Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees. When water levels exceed or are anticipated to exceed 745 feet on Grand Lake, the Corps of Engineers takes control and determines how much water is released through the floodgates. Once [the water level] drops to 745 feet, the GRDA once again assumes control over releases.”
Day-to-day operations at the GRDA include managing the release of water to meet power generation needs while balancing flood control and environmental considerations. Engineers, technicians and water resource specialists work together to ensure the dams operate smoothly, providing power to thousands of Oklahomans while maintaining the integrity of the state’s water resources.