It's my understanding the North Canadian fills Overholser and Hefner -and that river comes from NW Oklahoma -Woodward/Fort Supply region -therefore it would be NW Oklahoma

the north canadian does NOT fill hefner ..

and yes the north Canadian does flow into Overholser it is also connect to the city water system and can be filled from the southeast as well where OKC has enough water rights to last another 100+ years of growth at least

the north canadian does NOT fill hefner ..

and yes the north Canadian does flow into Overholser it is also connect to the city water system and can be filled from the southeast as well where OKC has enough water rights to last another 100+ years of growth at leastTrue. Bluff Creek Canal can move water to Overholser from either discharges from Canton or overflow of Hefner it that were to ever happen. But it can't flow from Overholser to Hefner.

True. Bluff Creek Canal can move water to Overholser from either discharges from Canton or overflow of Hefner it that were to ever happen. But it can't flow from Overholser to Hefner.

The Hefner Canal takes water from the N. Candian and places it in Hefner Lake. There is a little bit of run off to Hefner Lake from local participation. N. Candian also fills Lake Overholser, but Lake Overholser currently does not contribute to the drinking water system of OKC.

the north canadian does NOT fill hefner ..

and yes the north Canadian does flow into Overholser it is also connect to the city water system and can be filled from the southeast as well where OKC has enough water rights to last another 100+ years of growth at least

The North Canadian has a gate that lets water fill into the canal that fills Lake Hefner. Has for years. Go check it out at the Hwy 66 bridge just to the north. At least it does when there is high water in the river. When they release water from Canton Lake it ends up in Lake Hefner.

For that matter you can check it out on google maps.

the north canadian does NOT fill hefner ..

and yes the north Canadian does flow into Overholser it is also connect to the city water system and can be filled from the southeast as well where OKC has enough water rights to last another 100+ years of growth at least

Yes, I realize Hefner is filled indirectly from Overholser has I've biked along the channel many times. But I'm wasn't aware that OKC gets water from the southeast part of the state. What OKC reservoir receives water from southeast Oklahoma?

Yes, I realize Hefner is filled indirectly from Overholser has I've biked along the channel many times. But I'm wasn't aware that OKC gets water from the southeast part of the state. What OKC reservoir receives water from southeast Oklahoma?

Stanley Draper

Stanley Draper

Thanks, Bellaboo


The raw water comes from seven surface-water reservoirs and yes, some of them are the same places where you might have gone fishing. The water is sourced from Canton Lake in northwest Oklahoma, McGee Creek, Lake Atoka and Sardis Lake in southwestern Oklahoma.

In the city limits, the water is tapped from Hefner, Overholser and Stanley Draper lakes.

Be in the know about the city’s tap water; https://www.abetterlifeokc.com/blog/2019/11/12/the-better-life/be-in-the-know-about-the-city-s-tap-water/

Thanks, Bellaboo



Be in the know about the city’s tap water; https://www.abetterlifeokc.com/blog/2019/11/12/the-better-life/be-in-the-know-about-the-city-s-tap-water/

https://www.okc.gov/departments/utilities/about-us/okc-water-history

If they fill the ponds at Sicissortail with water from lake Hefner -half of Hefner lake will be gone! (Just kidding....sort of) The drought from I-35 is becoming scary since much of the water for Overholser and Hefner come from runoff from NW Oklahoma.

Its been a lot worse in past droughts. The city has a plan in place to rely a lot more on Atoka reservoir and pipeline in the coming decades. A higher compacity pipeline is currently under construction and once that gets done the old pipeline will be upgraded.

https://www.okc.gov/departments/utilities/about-us/okc-water-history

Lake Hefner has water runoff from Warr Acres, but the channel from the North Canadian River is used to fill It with water when it gets low. They did this last year once.
The North Canadian does not run directly into Lake Overholser for that matter, as there is a river channel to the spillway. On the northeast side of the lake they will put water into it by controlling the spillway flow. As you can see on google maps.

The North Canadian has a gate that lets water fill into the canal that fills Lake Hefner. Has for years. Go check it out at the Hwy 66 bridge just to the north. At least it does when there is high water in the river. When they release water from Canton Lake it ends up in Lake Hefner.

For that matter you can check it out on google maps.
I've learned something. I just drove there to see. For all these years I thought water on flowed from N to S in BC Canal.

Its been a lot worse in past droughts. The city has a plan in place to rely a lot more on Atoka reservoir and pipeline in the coming decades. A higher compacity pipeline is currently under construction and once that gets done the old pipeline will be upgraded.
It's been much worse. We used to have a sailboat that was in a slip that right now has about 8 to 10 feet of water. We had to strap the boat to the dock structure a couple of times or she would have been on dry ground. Not good for a sailboat keel. Once the water line was 20 or 30 feet from our slip.

I've learned something. I just drove there to see. For all these years I thought water on flowed from N to S in BC Canal.

At Lake Hefner next to MacArthur they have a Canal Road next to where the goats were fenced to eat the weeds/grass at the canal.

Went to the park Saturday afternoon. It was filled with people! But the pond was drained. kind of a bummer but me and my pooch had a great time!

When will the lake at scissortail be filled? Waiting for a gully washer to do the job or what...???

At Lake Hefner next to MacArthur they have a Canal Road next to where the goats were fenced to eat the weeds/grass at the canal.I know. It goes from there, goes underground for a bit, then runs along Council just S of NW Exp and ends up at the river by the E end of the bridge. I just didn't realize it flows S to N.

They have had large concerts in the past on the main lawn. I looked on the website but do not see anything listed on their calendar.

There are 3 night markets upcoming though,that sounds interesting.

https://scissortailpark.org/

When will the lake at scissortail be filled? Waiting for a gully washer to do the job or what...???
They have signs around the pond saying "spring". But Friday they had a big trailer mounted pump that was pumping water out. The signs say they're doing maintenance. I could see a number of washed out areas along the shoreline that haven't been touched yet.

They have had large concerts in the past on the main lawn. I looked on the website but do not see anything listed on their calendar.

There are 3 night markets upcoming though,that sounds interesting.

https://scissortailpark.org/

They usually do just a couple of concerts per year on the Great Lawn. The bandshell at Myriad Gardens tends to host more shows over the course of the summer. Guthrie Green up in Tulsa is a similar outdoor space that seems to have really active programming, I need to get up there sometime this spring and check some of it out.

I don't think I've ever seen downtown so busy on a Sunday; both parks were full of people and activity.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail040923a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/myriad040923a.jpg

The city needs to do something about the stage center field being used as a parking lot.

The city needs to do something about the stage center field being used as a parking lot.

Why? It's a vacant lot. Nothing is going there for a while, and cars parking there isn't hurting anything.

Why? It's a vacant lot. Nothing is going there for a while, and cars parking there isn't hurting anything.

Well, it does kill the grass, and the local school does use it for outdoor activities. Really the City needs to pick a course of action (Paved Parking) or closing it off from parking on the grass.

Why? It's a vacant lot. Nothing is going there for a while, and cars parking there isn't hurting anything.

Because it makes the city look trashy to have people parking on a grass field in the middle of downtown. If the property owners want to use that lot for parking they need to submit the plans for it to design review and get a building permit issued to make the change.

This is not the first time people parking on that lot has come up as an issue and unless I am misremembering the city took action once before.

Why? It's a vacant lot. Nothing is going there for a while, and cars parking there isn't hurting anything.

It's against several city ordinances for the same reason you can't park on your lawn.

A little off topic but does anyone know if OGE is trying to sell the lot or are they just going to sit on it til they want to develop it

A little off topic but does anyone know if OGE is trying to sell the lot or are they just going to sit on it til they want to develop it

Don't think they have any plans to sell or develop in the foreseeable future.

It's against several city ordinances for the same reason you can't park on your lawn.I agree it's against several city ordinances. But they're often overlooked. The north end of the fairgrounds during the fair for instance. That has been parking on grass for as long as I can remember. But it's really not night grass. The parking we're talking about here is a decent looking lot.

They usually do just a couple of concerts per year on the Great Lawn.

I think the bookers at the Jones Assembly once had something to do with it, but I'm not sure if that was just touring acts and summer concert series, or if that included regular programming.

They do have a call for artists page on the site for all kinds of performers:

https://scissortailpark.org/call-for-artists/

Don't think they have any plans to sell or develop in the foreseeable future.

Pete, is it true they don't have to pay any taxes on it? https://docs.oklahomacounty.org/treasurer/recordDetails.asp?Accountid=14269463&TaxClass=A

Pete, is it true they don't have to pay any taxes on it? https://docs.oklahomacounty.org/treasurer/recordDetails.asp?Accountid=14269463&TaxClass=A

Yes, sadly it's true.

Yes, sadly it's true.
N/M Misread

Why? It's a vacant lot. Nothing is going there for a while, and cars parking there isn't hurting anything.

What's worse is they are parking on the pedestrian cross block next to the field.

I think the last time this happened, it rained and people destroyed the lot by parking there. I think it was around Arts Festival time.

The problem is this lot has 3 curbcuts in it with zero signage/blockage (currently). It also seems like the Tulip Festival caused most of the parking problems this previous weekend.

I get so bummed when I see that giant, not developed parking lot in between parks.

I get so bummed when I see that giant, not developed parking lot in between parks.

That and the Cusake Meat Market at south Scissortail park is so unfortunate for the overall flow of the park. It's surprising how much land is blocked out by Cusake

Cusack Meats is a good company to have in our city.

Their present location doesn't mix with the area parks; of course there are eyesores--the line of old car parts and related shops lined across Robinson from the upper park to the lower park that are falling apart is a distraction from the beautiful lower Scissortail Park.

Also Kudos to our city for the recent Wiley Post Park renovations.

Cusack Meats is a good company to have in our city.

Their present location doesn't mix with the area parks; of course there are eyesores--the line of old car parts and related shops lined across Robinson from the upper park to the lower park that are falling apart is a distraction from the beautiful lower Scissortail Park.

Also Kudos to our city for the recent Wiley Post Park renovations.

Yes. I suspect areas around the lower park will change quite a bit with improvements over the next 5-10 years.

I think the bookers at the Jones Assembly once had something to do with it, but I'm not sure if that was just touring acts and summer concert series, or if that included regular programming.

They do have a call for artists page on the site for all kinds of performers:

https://scissortailpark.org/call-for-artists/

You are correct, the Jones Assembly folks were booking it at the start. Not sure if they still are or not. I know there have never been too many touring shows, but of course COVID happened and that really continued to impact concert tours until approximately a year ago. Plus I’m sure it would be a major hassle to close off portions of the park for a ticketed event. I actually don’t believe there ever has been a ticketed event here, but someone feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.

Subsonix hosted a ticketed event in the park last summer. I believe it was in August. They basically fenced off the Great Lawn.

I hope they are able to secure some great shows that are ticketed at the lawn. it's absolutely doable and happens all the time in park settings all around the country. 2023 is one of the biggest years for tours in probably a decade so i hope they are able to capitalize on that and we can see a few good shows. but won't hold my breath.

They have started to refill the lake.

They have started to refill the lake.
Good. I was there again Sunday and saw that the pump that was keeping it dry was gone. I want to see it full.

Not sure where to post this, but I was excited to see how lively and busy downtown was this weekend. Just to give context, I live in Deep Deuce, so traveled to places either walking or via the streetcar. Went to the Scissortail Park's Wind Festival and Midtown Walkabout yesterday, as well as walked my dog in the evening through the Bricktown Canal to get to Bar K in the Boathouse District. Then today went over to the OKCMOA for their Art in Bloom exhibit and then walked through the outdoor portion of the Bombing Memorial. Each place had decent crowds, so a very positive feeling about the direction of our city to see lots of families and groups out and about. While on the streetcar, chatted with some people who were using OKC as a stop on a cross-country trip, and they stated they were very surprised on how nice things were and were wanting to come back to see things like F.A.M. and the Cowboy&Western Museum. So I hope this is a feel-good post for people starting the week ahead.

Not sure where to post this, but I was excited to see how lively and busy downtown was this weekend. Just to give context, I live in Deep Deuce, so traveled to places either walking or via the streetcar. Went to the Scissortail Park's Wind Festival and Midtown Walkabout yesterday, as well as walked my dog in the evening through the Bricktown Canal to get to Bar K in the Boathouse District. Then today went over to the OKCMOA for their Art in Bloom exhibit and then walked through the outdoor portion of the Bombing Memorial. Each place had decent crowds, so a very positive feeling about the direction of our city to see lots of families and groups out and about. While on the streetcar, chatted with some people who were using OKC as a stop on a cross-country trip, and they stated they were very surprised on how nice things were and were wanting to come back to see things like F.A.M. and the Cowboy&Western Museum. So I hope this is a feel-good post for people starting the week ahead.

Thanks for sharing. Such a beautiful weekend.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail041623a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail041623b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail041623c.jpg

Wow, awesome! That blue court really is eye-popping from that perspective.

Agreed! Only wish is they added more pickleball courts :) they are always so full!

not sure if this is allowed in here but - the okc free press put out a article detailing some struggles with repairs and maintenance at the park. mainly with the restrooms and water park. i don't mean to take away from the success this park has been, just thought it was a interesting read!

not sure if this is allowed in here but - the okc free press put out a article detailing some struggles with repairs and maintenance at the park. mainly with the restrooms and water park. i don't mean to take away from the success this park has been, just thought it was a interesting read!
The fact that maintenance is having trouble keeping up with the traffic of demand is news you wanna hear.

Like can you imagine a multi million dollar project that no one ever uses or want to use as ofter, that or feels disappointed in the visual outcome *cough*boulevard*cough*

The fact that maintenance is having trouble keeping up with the traffic of demand is news you wanna hear.

Like can you imagine a multi million dollar project that no one ever uses or want to use as ofter, that or feels disappointed in the visual outcome *cough*boulevard*cough*
The Boulevard will become greatly used in the future when more development is built. It’s a very shortsighted way of looking at things that we shouldn’t have built it because it isn’t very used right now.

Like can you imagine a multi million dollar project that no one ever uses or want to use as ofter, that or feels disappointed in the visual outcome *cough*boulevard*cough*

*cough* streetcar

not sure if this is allowed in here but - the okc free press put out a article detailing some struggles with repairs and maintenance at the park. mainly with the restrooms and water park. i don't mean to take away from the success this park has been, just thought it was a interesting read!

I believe the city should fund what is used. Sissortail park is a huge draw and should be fully funded by the city.

I believe the city should fund what is used. Sissortail park is a huge draw and should be fully funded by the city.

That's what you took from this? Not that the park is more successful than they ever thought? They will get the maintenance down, but it is a HUGE positive that the park is always so busy.

Go to Central Park. There are parts of it that are very bad and ugly. They do their best to keep it clean, but sometimes they can't keep up.

When does the splash pad open? Anyone know?


https://freepressokc.com/scissortail-park-maintenance-staff-strain-to-keep-up-with-heavy-use/

Good to see a concert scheduled

OKC Philharmonic
Sunday, May 21 | 8:30pm
Love’s Travel Stops Stage and Great Lawn

https://scissortailpark.org/events/scissortail-park-concerts-presented-by-american-fidelity-okc-phil/?occurrence=2023-05-21

Press release:

************
April 21, 2023
2023 Scissortail Park Concerts presented by American Fidelity debuts in May
This year’s series begins with community favorite, OKC Phil (5/21) and a new Bluegrass Night
featuring 14-time Grammy-award winning artist, Jerry Douglas Band (5/26)

OKLAHOMA CITY – Scissortail Park’s popular free summer concert series returns in May to the Love’s Travel Stops Stage and Great Lawn. Scissortail Park Concerts presented by American Fidelity is supported by Ad Astra Foundation, First Fidelity Bank, Richard and Glenna Tanenbaum, Flight, Omni Oklahoma City Hotel, BancFirst, INSURICA, MUSE Downtown Apartments, and Miller Pro AVL. Concerts are free and open to the public.

The 2023 season begins with community favorite, the OKC Philharmonic directed by Alexander Mickelthwate on Sunday, May 21. The following Friday, May 26 welcomes Dobro master and 14-time Grammy-award winner, Jerry Douglas Band with special guests, Oklahoma-based band, Midnight Hollow performing in the first Bluegrass Night at the Park.

“To keep our free outdoor concert series fresh and interesting for the community, we are incorporating several new musical genres into this year’s schedule,” said Maureen Heffernan, CEO of Myriad Gardens Foundation and Scissortail Park Foundation. “We are happy to welcome our friends from the Oklahoma City Philharmonic back for another exciting concert series at Scissortail Park. They help to anchor our lineup with performances in May and September. We’re also thrilled to add Grammy award-winning bluegrass superstar, Jerry Douglas along with local talent, Midnight Hollow. Thanks to our generous sponsors, we are securing our other acts for the season and will announce those soon.”

The Scissortail Park Concerts series run May through September 2022. Additional announcements coming soon. See scissortailpark.org/calendar for more information.

MAY CONCERTS 2023
OKC Philharmonic
Sunday, May 21 | 8:30pm
Tracing its roots back to the city’s first professional orchestra in 1924, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic formed in 1988 under the musical direction of Joel Levine with the help of dedicated civic leaders and corporations. In 2018, Alexander Mickelthwate was named the second music director of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic.

Throughout the years, the orchestra has performed a diverse selection of music with many different stars. The Oklahoma City Philharmonic has appeared on PBS with Michael Martin Murphey in a performance titled “Sagebrush Symphony” for the nationally syndicated program “Austin City Limits.” Kathie Lee Gifford chose the OKC PHIL to perform for her internationally broadcast CBS Christmas special “Just in Time for Christmas.” Guest artists have included Itzhak Perlman, Amy Grant, Yo Yo Ma, Joshua Bell, Tony Bennett, Olivia Newton-John, Bebe Neuwirth, Sir James Galway, Chris Botti, Renee Fleming and most recently Kristin Chenoweth, Kelli O’Hara, Pink Martini, and Ben Folds.

Bluegrass Night at the Park
Featuring Jerry Douglas Band with Midnight Hollow
Friday, May 26 | 8pm
Jerry Douglas is a bandleader, producer, session musician, instructor, and a very funny guy! He’s produced over a hundred albums and he’s featured on over 1,600 studio albums. He’s a member of Alison Kraus & Union Station, co-bandleader for Transatlantic Sessions in the United Kingdom, founder for the Grammy winner bluegrass super-group The Earls of Leicester, and he leads The Jerry Douglas Band.

Since 2017, The Jerry Douglas Band has been forging new paths into the musical horizon with deep roots in bluegrass and folk that spreads out into the Americana and jazz landscapes. In 2021, The Jerry Douglas Band released an album, Leftover Feelings, with legendary singer songwriter John Hiatt. The album was nominated for a 2022 Grammy for “Best Americana Album,” and their previous record What If also received a Grammy nomination for “Best Contemporary Instrumental Album.” They perform at some of the top US festivals such as Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Pilgrimage Music Festival, Big Ears Festival, DelFest, FreshGrass, Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, Merlefest, and many others. In addition to Douglas, The Jerry Douglas Band includes Daniel Kimbro on bass, Christian Sedelmyer on fiddle, and Mike Seal on guitar.

Oklahoma-based bluegrass band, Midnight Hollow features a mix of original, contemporary, and traditional bluegrass music. Midnight Hollow includes Joey Shann on banjo and reso guitar, Chance Coppedge on bass, Joe Kahlden on guitar, and Sam Conrey on mandolin.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available to support the Scissortail Park Concerts 2023 series. Please contact Cayla Lewis, Associate Director of Development at clewis@scissortailpark.org or call 405.764.0236 for more information.


About Scissortail Park
Scissortail Park is in the heart of a revitalized downtown Oklahoma City. The public green space provides a healthy and vibrant quality of life for our city while serving as an investment in the future for everyone. Every detail of the Park is designed for connection – with nature, neighbors, and ourselves. It is a place for play, culture, celebration, and inspiration.

The 36-acre Upper Park opened in September 2019 followed by the opening of the 32-acre Lower Park in September 2022.

The downtown oasis features a variety of engaging experiences ranging from ornamental gardens and woodlands to a lake and boathouse. Scissortail Park offers visitors walking and biking paths, a children’s playground, a Nature Play Area, a performance stage and great lawn, a seasonal outdoor roller rink, an enclosed dog park, interactive fountains, and sports courts including a turf soccer pitch, grass practice field, four pickleball courts, a futsal court, and two basketball courts. A grand promenade connects both sections of the Park via the Skydance Bridge providing guests with a walking and bike path extending all the way from downtown to the Oklahoma River trails.

Designed by one of the foremost landscape architecture planning firms in the world, Hargreaves Jones Associates, the Park is also a horticultural tapestry of native prairie grasses, lush flower gardens, and tree-lined walkways.

Scissortail Park is managed on behalf of the City of Oklahoma City by Scissortail Park Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Together we have created something spectacular. For everyone.

Man, that pavillion come this time next year is going to be jumping. NBA playoff basketball is really going to bring this place overwhelming life.

Two things I love about Scissortail Park:

1. The sense of community it brings.
2. Reminds me how diverse OKC really is.

Hopefully the Great Lawn is getting a nice break with this rain. A huge swath of it was dirt/sand due to the constant use this early Spring. People playing cleated sports should probably be banned here. I saw multiple flag-football and ultimate frisbee tournaments where cleats were common.

Hopefully the Great Lawn is getting a nice break with this rain. A huge swath of it was dirt/sand due to the constant use this early Spring. People playing cleated sports should probably be banned here. I saw multiple flag-football and ultimate frisbee tournaments where cleats were common.

It's Bermuda though. Once it starts getting hot, it'll self repair in pretty impressive fashion

Splash pad opens in may