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City reports poor OWRB ratings for Guthrie Lake; spillway repairs estimated at over $1M
Summary
Staff told the Parks board that Guthrie Lake has repeatedly received poor ratings from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board; engineers estimated certain spillway repair work at just over $1 million and the city is pursuing temporary riprap and planning grants while seeking larger funding sources.
City staff told the Parks and Urban Forestry Board that dam inspections required by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) continue to reveal serious maintenance needs at several municipal lakes.
Guthrie Lake has received a 'poor' rating for multiple years; staff said a previous planning grant produced cost estimates showing the west spillway replacement to be just over $1,000,000. The city is doing temporary work (riprap and flowable fill) to stabilize damage, but staff said a major project will be required to fully remedy the condition.
Staff also reported issues at Liberty Lake (seepage, fair rating) and Santa Fe Lake (vegetation and undercutting, recent poor rating); the city has submitted action plans to OWRB and is performing interim repairs while seeking funding. Staff warned that extended poor ratings can prompt regulatory action and that some projects may require matching local dollars.
Board members and staff stressed that dam work is costly and that available grants are competitive; staff urged caution about assuming federal grants are a net savings because federal requirements (Buy America, wage standards, additional reporting) can raise project costs and administrative burdens.
