Lake Draper water level low

(September 17, 2009) - Citizens may have noticed the water level in Draper Lake is several feet below what it normally is this time of year.   This is no indication of a shortage in the City’s water supply.  Normal pool elevation at Draper Lake is 1,191 feet.  Currently, elevation is about 1,180. 

The reason for the low lake level is a project to repair the Atoka Pipeline’s six pumping stations.  Draper Lake’s water supply is pumped from Atoka Lake in southeastern Oklahoma via the 110-mile Atoka pipeline, and the repairs are impacting the lake level.

The Atoka Pump Station Rehabilitation Project began early 2009 and is expected to take two years to complete. The project requires the pipeline to be shut down periodically, which will cause the lake’s water level to fluctuate throughout the project.  

“The low lake levels will have no impact to the City’s ability to meet its drinking water demands,” said Marsha Slaughter, director of the City’s Utilities Department.  “Unfortunately, the project will impact recreational activities.  Water levels are may become too low to safely float boats.”

Wet stall renters have been notified of the situation and asked to remove their boats from Draper Lake by the end of September.  Rental agreements also provide dry storage space on Draper Lake property.

“We truly regret the inconvenience caused to our citizens who enjoy recreating at Draper Lake,” Slaughter said.  “However, the rehabilitation project is essential for the continuing safe and reliable delivery of water to Draper Lake and ultimately to Oklahoma City homes and businesses.”

On a positive note, the low lake levels present opportunities to improve the lake and its facilities, such as cleaning debris from the lakebed, extending boat ramps and removing the two boat docks.

Last spring, one of the three wet stall docks was damaged beyond repair by a tornado and removed from the lake.  The remaining two docks will be removed while lake levels are low.  Plans were made to replace all three docks but put on hold until completion of the Atoka Pump Station Rehabilitation Project and lake levels stabilize.