Water Releases at Eufaula May Impact River and Kerr Lake

The U.S. Corps of Engineers Tulsa District announced water is being released Monday from Lake Eufaula, which is near capacity. The district released the following announcement Monday afternoon:

The Tulsa District again received heavy rainfall yesterday (Sunday) and last night. Four-to-five-inch amounts were common in Southeast portions (of the state). The rest of the eastern half of the District received 1 to 0.5 inches. Additional rain is possible starting Wednesday, with the best chances that night into Thursday. Heavy rain is again possible with this system. There are lower chances of rain from Thursday to late in the weekend when a low passes through and ramps things up yet again. The 7-day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast (QFP) shows 4 inches of rain along central portions of the Red River and 2 inches over most of the eastern half. Lesser amounts to the West.

The report says Lake Eufaula is at 596.0 feet, which is 90 percent of flood control capacity, and the lake level is rising. It is forecasted to rise to 598.1 feet, or to 111 percent capacity, by May 16. Releases were to be increased to 44,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) later on Monday. The report also indicates the Arkansas River at Van Buren is at 27.4 feet, which is 5.4 feet above flood stage of 22 and is steady.

Brannen Parrisch, Corps Public Affairs Specialist at the Tulsa District Office, said Monday afternoon the water release from Lake Eufaula may also cause flooding on the Arkansas River and on Kerr Lake. "We are trying to limit (the release)," Parrish said, "but we have to protect the dam (on Lake Eufaula)." Parrish warned those fishing below Corps' dams to pay attention to the alarms. "If you hear the dam alarms, get out of the way," he said. He added that, as of Monday afternoon, no water releases were expected at Lake Tenkiller.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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