Garrison Named Oklahoma Water Pioneer, For the Second Time

Garner Garrison, president of the Sequoyah County Water Association Board of Directors, 

was recently presented with his second Oklahoma Pioneer Award.

For the second time, Garner Garrison, a founder of the Sequoyah County Water Association, has been named an Oklahoma Water Pioneer.

The Oklahoma Water Pioneer award is presented by the governor each year to individuals who have made lifetime contributions to the planning, development, management and conservation of Oklahoma's water resources.

Garrison has spent nearly 55 years providing clean water to area residents. In 1964 he and others began organizing the Sequoyah County Water Association, and in 1968 the association was incorporated.

“And in 1970 we built the water plant on Lake Tenkiller,” Garrison recalled.

The plant continues to provide potable water to thousands of county residents. But Garrison and the association are not done yet.

Garrison said, “The new water treatment plant (on Lake Tenkiller) is about one-third complete, and in a year we will have a 24-inch water line to Vian. We will have water for everyone.”

Garrison is humble about the achievements of the association. He said, “I didn’t do it by myself. We’ve had some good board members.”

This is the second time the award has been presented to Garrison. His first Oklahoma Water Pioneer award was presented in 2008.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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