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Jenks officials say low-water dam design advances after intergovernmental workshops
Summary
City staff reported progress on design work for a proposed low-water dam on the Arkansas River, describing a construction-management-at-risk approach, a January 10% design milestone and a preliminary design report expected in February.
Mayor Corey Box and city staff told the Jenks City Council that design work is advancing for the proposed low-water dam after two half-day workshops that included Tulsa and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
City Assistant Manager Robert Carr said engineering firms under contract to the City of Tulsa are leading the design effort and that the project team agreed to pursue a construction-management-at-risk contracting approach rather than a traditional design-bid-build model. Carr said the arrangement would allow a construction firm to be engaged ahead of final design to review constructability and provide up-to-date cost information.
The change in approach is intended to reduce surprises during construction, Carr said, noting that subsurface conditions along the river are uncertain despite preliminary soil borings. Carr told the council the team plans a workshop in early August on gate selection and the pedestrian bridge and additional environmental and bank-development workshops in September.
Carr said the project team expects to reach a 10% design level by January, with a preliminary design report and updated cost estimates ready by February. "The final design and preliminary design report, including all of the costs, will become available towards the February of next year," he said.
Mayor Box and other council members emphasized that multiple government agencies and stakeholders will review environmental impacts, including potential effects on birds and fish. Box said the council lacks technical expertise on dam construction and expects the specialist-led environmental review to address issues such as eagle nesting and fisheries.
Council members who attended the workshops were thanked for participation; Vice Mayor Brown attended much of the first day, Carr said. Box noted earlier voter approval (Vision 2025) and said Tulsa’s mayor and several Tulsa council members appeared engaged in the process.
The council did not vote on project approval at the meeting; Carr framed the update as an informational report on design progress and schedule.
Ending: City staff said they will return with design milestones and cost estimates; council members and the public will have further opportunities to review environmental and design workshops as the project advances.
