Businessman, civic leader Ray Ackerman dies | NewsOK.com (http://newsok.com/businessman-civic-leader-ray-ackerman-dies/article/3719791)

Thank you Ray, for all you did. RIP

It may not be an elaborate bridge but the beams below the deck have enough load capacity to support nearly any type of deck with parapets built over top we would want for a pedestrian bridge.

...and I don't disagree with that. The point is, that we need to have a bridge that is walker/bicycle friendly only. OKC has this mentality that every bridge across any type of span of whatever has to be strong enough to support vehicular traffic. Lets just have a pedestrian bridge for once..yep.

...and I don't disagree with that. The point is, that we need to have a bridge that is walker/bicycle friendly only. OKC has this mentality that every bridge across any type of span of whatever has to be strong enough to support vehicular traffic. Lets just have a pedestrian bridge for once..yep.

Don't think Snowman wanted vehiclular traffic ?

That's why I said OKC has this mentality... and he may not have said that, but then, what was he implying by talking about the beams being able to handle more than pedestrian traffic, if you may know?

That's why I said OKC has this mentality... and he may not have said that, but then, what was he implying by talking about the beams being able to handle more than pedestrian traffic, if you may know?

He explained it pretty well, he said it has a strong enough support structure to add to it for pedestrian traffic.....

Ok, well, I don't ever really see reasons to say exactly what we've been talking about as if it were the first time ever. Therefore, I assumed he was talking about heavier load capacities because even if the bridge were made of plastic it could support pedestrian traffic, but of course, it's made of steel beams, therefore load bearing could be much heavier than pedestrian. Do ya see where I'm coming from? No big deal...moving on.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8331/8095326785_667a1613a7_b.jpg

A few nice river pics from a traveler's blog:
Live, Love, Travel: Oklahoma City (http://www.jaymimphotoblog.com/2012/10/oklahoma-city.html)

We seriously need to add more greenery down there, particularly trees along the banks where possible. Otherwise, that area is great and I'm glad it's seeing life again.

We seriously need to add more greenery down there, particularly trees along the banks where possible. Otherwise, that area is great and I'm glad it's seeing life again.

I'd like to see them add some lighting effects along the river. Today on my drive at about 7 am, it so dark you can hardly even see the river. It would look so good with some type of uniform lighting system.

I'd like to see them add some lighting effects along the river. Today on my drive at about 7 am, it so dark you can hardly even see the river. It would look so good with some type of uniform lighting system.

Not to mention it's too dark to feel completely safe using the paths along the river once dusk begins. It would be nice to have it lighted so it could at least be used until dark. A few bicycle policemen might not hurt either.

Not to mention it's too dark to feel completely safe using the paths along the river once dusk begins. It would be nice to have it lighted so it could at least be used until dark. A few bicycle policemen might not hurt either.What about a police Kiosk?

Not to mention it's too dark to feel completely safe using the paths along the river once dusk begins. It would be nice to have it lighted so it could at least be used until dark. A few bicycle policemen might not hurt either.

Haven't wandered the river pathways at night, but we have taken late late night strolls around the Chesapeake boathouse area, the walkways along the river spur area, and the walkways all along the canal as well. Never felt anything other than safe on those areas. Same for late night at MBG area, at and near the Murrah memorial and some other DT strips that aren't monitored as well.

I'd probably feel less at ease if I were a smaller person or looked like a tourist with money. Sometimes, having a well honed low priority target chubber gait just ain't such a bad deal.

I was down there yesterday (again, taking pics with my camera that I don't have on me cause I'm at work now) and there is a crane and some kind of other machine a few sites east of the Devon Boathouse. Was wondering if they were starting construction of the pavilion with the zip line course?

I was down there yesterday (again, taking pics with my camera that I don't have on me cause I'm at work now) and there is a crane and some kind of other machine a few sites east of the Devon Boathouse. Was wondering if they were starting construction of the pavilion with the zip line course?

Yep.

Several building permits for this have been issued recently.

Has there been any talk in the past about connected Lake Overholster to the Oklahoma River?

http://www.webpagescreenshot.info/i/121770-112201292705pm.png

Other than the bike trail being built?

No, I mean dredging and essentially extending the Oklahoma River to the lake.

I suppose that could be done but I wonder if it would cause problems in maintaining the lake level.

No, I mean dredging and essentially extending the Oklahoma River to the lake.

I would expect that adding a MAPS style dam around MacArthur would be far more economical way to retain more water in that section than dredging. It should not need much more elevation to keep a decent amount of water all year in that section, the obstructive sand bars are between Council and MacArthur. If the the river flow rate was normal and the aquifer along the lake was not more depleted than normal due to the drought, there would be a decent stream connecting the lake to the west river basin.

I think there are a boatload of recreational opportunities in that ideal. Plus it flows directly into the Boathouse district.

As Sid suggested, clean/dredge the river and now you have a 8 - 11 mile kayak course.

Not to many years ago some nice hybrids (white bass/ stripper) were being caught in the dam basin and river area at Overhosler. A widen and dredged river for the entire length between downtown and Lake Overhosler would have the potential to be a decent urban fishery.

Actually there could be a potential, three-part Maps 4 project in that ideal;

1. Dredge Lake Overholser additionally if possible expand the lake to the west.

2. Clean / dredge and widen the Oklahoma River from Overhosler to downtown, add additional dams and locks if needed. Bonus section expand the Oklahoma River east from Eastern Ave to NE 63rd. In this section bike and walking trails should be included up to 23rd. From 23rd to 63rd would be mainly boating and fishing.


3. Create a new small reservoir by combining and enlarging the two existing ponds that are located between S. Council and S. MacArthur and SW 15th and I-40. The area on the north side of SW 15th between Wilcox Center Rd and S Rockwell Ave, where the riverbed has moved over time, would be the expansion area.

Currently one has to have a city permit to fish any of the city lakes, make it the same for the river to help pay for ongoing fishery cost.

There is a study currently being done with Dolese that may lead to Overholser being dredged, if dredging goes ahead is dependent on if the silt that has been accumulating is a high enough grade they can sell it

Has there been any talk in the past about connected Lake Overholser to the Oklahoma River?

http://www.webpagescreenshot.info/i/121770-112201292705pm.png

That would be very cool, although it would be awfully close to the dump off 15th and Council which extends beyond Rockwell to the southeast. I don't know if anything special with the EPA would be needed.

Pretty good progress along the banks of the river just east of the Devon Boathouse. Got some pictures and will try to post later.

About every 6 months or so I like to ask about what's going on with the OU and UCO boathouses, the former of which has supposedly been funded for quite a while now.

I have a feeling the funding for the OU boathouse has either fallen through or been delayed.

They received several large pledges and perhaps one or more of them have not come through.


Otherwise, the crazy-long delays make no sense. OU already has a rowing team and the site was prepped for them over a year ago.

We keep hearing they are still in design phase but that simply can't be the hold-up at this point.

I said this elsewhere and was promptly chastised for suggesting that there's something else going on. But there's definitely something going on that's resulting in delay after delay.

Construction points to progress along Oklahoma River (http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=c067e0500e2a024737cbed896&id=7f07770318&e=3bf2c0b8ab)

" MAPS 3 Oklahoma River Lighting
Construction is underway to install 12 stadium style light poles in the Oklahoma River’s Boathouse District as a part of MAPS 3. The work includes the pouring of foundation, placement of conduit and installation of electrical cables and transformers.

“This project will add a new dimension, not only to the rowing on the river, but to many more activities which will emerge as this part of the Oklahoma River continues to mature,” MAPS 3 Program Manager David Todd said.

The lighting will be placed between the Lincoln Boulevard bridge and the Interstate-35 bridge. The project is expected to be completed in May 2013. The lights will be used for night racing and other evening events along the Oklahoma River. "

Construction begins on latest additions to Oklahoma City's Boathouse District | NewsOK.com (http://newsok.com/construction-begins-on-latest-additions-to-oklahoma-citys-boathouse-district/article/3734180)

One of the gates at the Eastern gate was open and river is down to just mud to the west of this gate. Is this because of construction or did the dam break again?

One of the gates at the Eastern gate was open and river is down to just mud to the west of this gate. Is this because of construction or did the dam break again?Yeah, I noticed that. What is the deal? It looks horrible. :/

One of the gates at the Eastern gate was open and river is down to just mud to the west of this gate. Is this because of construction or did the dam break again?

Construction, I think the estimate for it being down was around three months

It looks like they have started the canal extension under I-40. You need to lower the water level so it doesn't flood your work site.

It looks like they have started the canal extension under I-40. You need to lower the water level so it doesn't flood your work site.

Since the canal extension is not connected to the river how could the work site get flooded?

Since the canal extension is not connected to the river how could the work site get flooded?

Well, its not a canal extension. Its a river extension under I-40 to bring it closer to the canal.

I thought they would set up a cofferdam though and wouldn't have to drain the river this earlier in construction.

The canal is not being extended. The river is being extended to the canal. The inlet, where the boats that cruise the river dock, is being extended under the interstate to within a few feet of where the canal terminates.

You're correct. That does make sense.

Well, its not a canal extension. Its a river extension under I-40 to bring it closer to the canal.

I thought they would set up a cofferdam though and wouldn't have to drain the river this earlier in construction.

It is much cheaper not to do a dam (I think the estimate for a dam would have been a 1/3rd of the budget of the extension) and they would rather it be down in this part of the year because this is the part of the year it is least it is used.

It is much cheaper not to do a dam (I think the estimate for a dam would have been a 1/3rd of the budget of the extension) and they would rather it be down in this part of the year because this is the part of the year it is least it is used.

Yeah, I can see that. Plus, I just saw a news article saying their putting in a sewer line under the river so it was going to have to be lowered anyway.

My question is where in the world will they get water to refill the river?? If Overholser is extremely low AND Hefner is low AND Canton Lake (were all of the water originates) is low - where will the replacement water come from??? Might have been wiser to hold off on such improvements until adequate water is available...yes?

My question is where in the world will they get water to refill the river?? If Overholser is extremely low AND Hefner is low AND Canton Lake (were all of the water originates) is low - where will the replacement water come from??? Might have been wiser to hold off on such improvements until adequate water is available...yes?

The river fills up fast when it actually does rain since excess stormwater drains into into. Should get a little bit of rain in the spring when their ready to fill it back up. (Knock on wood). lol

My question is where in the world will they get water to refill the river?? If Overholser is extremely low AND Hefner is low AND Canton Lake (were all of the water originates) is low - where will the replacement water come from??? Might have been wiser to hold off on such improvements until adequate water is available...yes?

A couple things to keep in mind. The drought was worse along the entire rough of the North Canadian to here than it was here, and we get more that twice the rain most of the route when none are in a drought. I do not know what percentage comes from city storm water drains and creeks west of the city, but I can certainly confirm that enough volume comes that it has the energy to transport a lots of debris with it when the city does get more than a light rain. While a couple times water has been released into the river basin, the vast majority of the time if any water was flowing from the North Canadian they impounded as much as possible in Hefner or Overholser. The entire volume of water contained in the river is less than the volume of a foot of water at Hefner or Overholser. Hefner and Overholser would still be in roughly the same condition if the river dams did not exist.

A couple things to keep in mind. The drought was worse along the entire rough of the North Canadian to here than it was here, and we get more that twice the rain most of the route when neither are in a drought. I do not know what percentage comes from city storm water drains and creeks west of the city, but I can certainly confirm that enough volume comes that it has the energy to transport a lots of debris with it when the city does get rain. While a couple times water has been released into the river basin, the vast majority of the time if any water was flowing from the North Canadian they impounded as much as possible in Hefner or Overholser. The entire volume of water contained in the river is less than the volume of a foot of water at Hefner or Overholser. Hefner and Overholser would still be in roughly the same condition if the river dams did not exist.

What is this thing called "Rain" that everyone is talking about?

Seriously,we have been in a serious drought for about 7 years now. How long can this last? Is this a result of global warming or just a bump in the road? Someone surely knows....

A couple things to keep in mind. The drought was worse along the entire rough of the North Canadian to here than it was here, and we get more that twice the rain most of the route when neither are in a drought. I do not know what percentage comes from city storm water drains, but I can certainly confirm that enough volume comes that it has the energy to transport a lots of debris with it when the city does get rain. While a couple times water has been released in to the river basin, the vast majority of the time if any water was flowing from the North Canadian they impounded as much as possible in Hefner or Overholser. The entire volume of water contained in the river is less than the volume of a foot of water at Hefner or Overholser. Hefner and Overholser would still be in roughly the same condition if the river dams did not exist.

I think they only release water at Overholser when they want to fill the river up faster. If you follower the path of the North Canadian river. North of Overholser by 39th street is where it branches off into Overholser and Hefner. From there it goes into its own little canal right beside the lake so that they can maintain a natural river current. That natural river current is what keeps the river Oklahoma filled up .

We need another 30 straight days of rain like we had 4 or 5 years ago. That would help out our aquifers as well.

Nothing to worry about, everytime a soul in Yukon flushes their toilet, it gets passed on down the River to OKC...................

I heard a rumor today that there may be plans for an amphitheater on the south side of the river just east of Western. Has anyone else heard of this? From what I heard, the guy that ran the Zoo Amp lost the contract and is looking to build his own venue. My source has seen the plans and said they include retail spaces as well. This could be one of those things that never see the light of day because of the lack of funding, but if it came to pass that would be an awesome addition to the river front.

I heard a rumor today that there may be plans for an amphitheater on the south side of the river just east of Western. Has anyone else heard of this? From what I heard, the guy that ran the Zoo Amp lost the contract and is looking to build his own venue. My source has seen the plans and said they include retail spaces as well. This could be one of those things that never see the light of day because of the lack of funding, but if it came to pass that would be an awesome addition to the river front.

I've read this before, but it was very preliminary at the time.

I heard a rumor today that there may be plans for an amphitheater on the south side of the river just east of Western. Has anyone else heard of this? From what I heard, the guy that ran the Zoo Amp lost the contract and is looking to build his own venue. My source has seen the plans and said they include retail spaces as well. This could be one of those things that never see the light of day because of the lack of funding, but if it came to pass that would be an awesome addition to the river front.

At one point they had an outdoor amphitheater near the river in the Core 2 Shore plans but it was not in the more recent versions I saw.

The amphitheater in question can be seen here on the south bank of the river.

http://www.okc.gov/planning/coretoshore/images/redevconcept.jpg

Ah, the one I remembered was on the north bank east of the railroad north/south line

Very intriguing idea. Run well it could be a great venue...

so the amphitheater is the southern terminus of the Harvey spine? is that a pedestrian bridge leading to it over the river or something that's already there?

so the amphitheater is the southern terminus of the Harvey spine? is that a pedestrian bridge leading to it over the river or something that's already there?

It is a pedestrian bridge

Ah, the one I remembered was on the north bank east of the railroad north/south line

Like where Pull-A-Part currently is?


It is a pedestrian bridge

I have mentioned before that I think this pedestrian bridge over the river should be fashioned like the Flycatcher Bridge over I-40. It would be a nice tie in for the whole of Harvey Spine.

Like where Pull-A-Part currently is?

Yea but it was long enough ago they were depicting most of what is now boathouse row and the whitewater center as a low rise neighborhood at the time.

Would it have been on the old White Pages phonebook?

The guys that were running the zoo zmpetheatre are building their own. It is seperate than what the city is planning. much larger capacity.

The guys that were running the zoo zmpetheatre are building their own. It is seperate than what the city is planning. much larger capacity.

I have heard they are building it behind The Diamond Ballroom...Is that what you heard?

I have heard they are building it behind The Diamond Ballroom...Is that what you heard?

I've heard the plans call for it to be south of the river on the east side of Western.

Wow, that's amazing, anyone have any news on the canal/river connection?

News story from today's Oklahoman -

Whitewater course design plans falling into place | NewsOK.com (http://newsok.com/whitewater-course-design-plans-falling-into-place/article/3741664)

Have to say I'm not a huge fan of the light stands being integrated along the river. I wish there had been a way to light the course up without having to put the light banks up 30 foot poles. Just doesn't look right.