For immediate release: 7/04/07

• Grand Lake elevation was 752.49 feet.
• Grand Lake flood control pool was at 72.27 percent capacity.
• At the direction of the Corps of Engineers, twelve (12) floodgates were open at Pensacola Dam.
• Lake Hudson elevation was 633.01 feet.
• Lake Hudson’s flood control pool was at 78.15 percent capacity.
• At the direction of the Corps of Engineers, three (3) floodgates were open at Robert S. Kerr Dam.

On Tuesday evening, July 3, the United States Army Corps of Engineers updated the crest elevation for both Grand and Hudson lakes. With current floodgates and release conditions, the Corps is predicting Grand will crest at elevation 755.00 on Thursday, July 5 and Hudson will crest at elevation 636.000 on July 7.

The Grand River watershed consists of approximately 12,000 square miles of runoff in parts of Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Of that total, over half—7,000 square miles—is uncontrolled runoff, meaning there is no reservoir to control it above the Pensacola Dam. However, the remaining 5,000 square miles of runoff passes through the John Redmond Dam, located near Burlington, Kansas, prior to reaching the Grand River system in Oklahoma.

Boating information for July 4 holiday activities:

In light of the recent heavy rains and the higher elevations of Grand and Hudson lakes, the Grand River Dam Authority Lake Patrol wants to pass along some very important tips for those who are heading to the lakes for the Fourth of July holiday and the upcoming weekend:

1) Be aware of floating debris. Higher lake levels can mean more driftwood and debris floating in the water. Please be on the look out as you are boating.

2) Stay away from floodgates and spillways. It is possible that floodgates on both Pensacola and Kerr dams will be open during much of the week. Please obey the buoys designating the spillway areas and allow plenty of distance between those locations and your boat.

3) Do not go into spillway areas below the dams. Please use common sense and stay away from areas below floodgates where water is being released. The swift water can be very dangerous.

4) Finally, use common sense while boating. The GRDA Lake Patrol reminds you to always play safe on the water, wear your life jacket and follow all boating rules and regulations. For more information, contact the Lake Patrol at (918) 782-959 or visit the lake patrol link on this website.