ILLINOIS RIVER BASIN - HIGH WATER ADVISORY - WEEKEND OF MAY 15-17, 2020
ISSUED: 4:30PM - FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020
Hello Neighbors, Friends and Team,
RUNOFF FROM RAINFALL TODAY WILL PUSH ILLINOIS RIVER BASIN WATER LEVELS AND FLOWS TO ACTION STAGE THIS WEEKEND.
PROJECTED CRESTS, DATES AND TIMES:
• Watts Gage-US59 Highway Bridge, 8.8ft Crest Saturday Early Afternoon;
• Chewy Gage-Hampton Bridge, 8.6ft Crest Saturday Late Afternoon;
• Tahlequah Gage-US62 Highway Bridge, 9.8ft Crest Sunday Early Morning Hours;
• Barren Fork Creek-Eldon/SH51 Highway Bridge, 9.1ft Crest Saturday Early Afternoon; and,
• Flint Creek-Kansas/US412 Highway Bridge, 7.5ft Crest Late Friday Tonight.
IMPORTANT HIGH WATER CONSIDERATIONS:
1. Floaters, fishermen and swimmers exercise caution this weekend.
2. Swimmers and waders avoid the Flint Creek low-water dam located below US412 Hwy Bridge in southern Delaware County. Flows may create an undertow that can trap swimmers and waders in a boil/re-circulating water below that dam.
3. It’s recommended that non-swimmers and those who lack strong paddling skills either be paired with experienced paddlers/floaters utilizing rafts and/or wait until another weekend when water levels and flows have fallen back to normal conditions.
4. Children should not float this weekend.
5. Wear life preservers, protective footwear and other suitable clothing.
6. Never swim or boat alone. Stay within sight of companions.
7. Boaters inform family members or others what stream reach you’re floating and when you plan to return from your trip.
8. Floaters beware, a number of flood events have occurred since the last float season. Fallen trees and debris may have accumulated in turns and runs that may pose navigational hazards.
9. If in doubt about the stream reach to be traveled, stop and get out on land to scout a safe pathway to use to float through, around meanders and other areas where debris and
fallen trees present strainers that let water pass through yet will trap and hold a boat/swimmer. In areas with swift water, portage your boat around navigational hazards.
10. Please adhere to COVID-19 Guidance from Oklahoma State Department of Health and CDC when enjoying Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Areas.
Attached above is a listing of water levels and flow/discharge for Illinois River Basin Stream Gaging Stations (as of 4:30pm).
Additional updates will be published as river conditions warrant.
Thank you,
Ed Fite
Vice-President for Rivers Operations and Water Quality
Email: efite@grda.com
Office Phone: 918-456-3251
Work Cell: 918-323-6825
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 292
Tahlequah, OK 74465-0292
Physical Address:
15971 N. Highway 10
Tahlequah, OK 74464
Please take a break daily to pick up two pieces of trash and properly dispose or recycle the materials… The synergy of our efforts will help preserve and protect our state’s aquatic and terrestrial environments. Thank you!