Norman: lakefront community?

[BG918]

Norman is located near the banks of the Canadian River, but there's very little access to it and it's rarely full of water except for during heavy spring rains. As the OKC Metro continues to grow and there also grows the need for another source of drinking water, would the city/state need to construct a new lake? Could such a lake be constructed in the Canadian River basin, an area largely devoid of any development?

This is my proposal, take it for what it's worth. A large dam would be constructed just to the west of Noble, giving this city the I-35 access they always wanted by constructing a new highway along an existing county road across the dam into downtown Noble. The dam would then impound the waters of the Canadian River all the way to Newcastle creating a lake as much as 20 miles long. As most of the land around the river is very flat flood plain it would flood easily. There are also few homes in the immediate flood plain and the only large development that would probably be underwater would be Canadian Trails golf course, which could be reconfigured to allow the lake to be part of the course design.

Here is a Google image showing where the lake would be. Notice Noble would offer a number of options for lakefront houses, as would Norman and Goldsby, possibly creating a housing boom in the area. Of course since this would be a source of drinking water all development would have to be under strict regulations. Imagine the development oppurtunities on the lake in Norman as the shoreline would be adjacent to the south campus research park and two miles from OU. Riverwind Casino could open up an even bigger and nicer casino on the lake by the highway with a hotel and beaches. Thoughts?

[Midtowner]

That's a really great idea.

Call the Army Corps of Engineers.

[BricktownGuy]

good idea, BG918, why are you not a property developer? lol

[Luke]

Great idea!

[Martin]

interesting idea... so why call it lake carmen? -M

[BG918]

^ That name just popped in my head when I named the file. It would probably end up being named after the governor or U.S. Senator/Representative that secured the millions in federal funding to buy the land in the flood plain and construct the dam. With the price of concrete at what it's at now the entire project could be over $300 million. Of course most of that would be federal dollars if our representatives in Congress deemed the construction of a new lake south of OKC a high priority for the state. I know Dallas has shown interest in building new lakes around the Metroplex and Omaha is looking at building a new lake west of them for drinking water/recreation. And then of course you have the Channels proposal in Tulsa, which calls for a 30 ft. high dam and 10 mile long lake on the Arkansas. I believe it can be done. It would definitely add a whole new dimension to Norman, and OKC as a whole, if another scenic lake was built and it offered sandy beaches, marinas, and a few restuarants overlooking the water.

[dirtrider73068]

Thats a good idea I kinda like it, but what would they do with all the dirt and sand they dig up makeing it a lake or makeing it deeper?

[BG918]

Thats a good idea I kinda like it, but what would they do with all the dirt and sand they dig up makeing it a lake or makeing it deeper?

I only have a limited knowledge of how lakes are created but usually there is very little in the way of digging or moving dirt except for at the dam site. The rest of the basin, farmland, trees, and brush included, just slowly fills up as the river hits the dam. A general clearing of some trees, especially in what will be the coves and inlets, would be required so that they don't interfere with boats and swimmers. Old oilfield equipment, the Norman landfill, and any other hazardous waste would have to be removed. But most of the trees by the riverbed would simply be submerged and turned into fish habitat. That's another advantage: great fishing! Eufaula is fed by the Canadian and there is great fishing there, so why not this lake as well?

[russellc]

Oklahoma City Hall's website a few years ago had a drawing of a proposed twin lake to Stanley Draper, being between Moore and OKC and just north of Norman. Has anyone heard anything else on this?

[Spartan]

It wasn't a twin it was just for development on the existing Lake Draper.

[russellc]

No, they were planning for another lake. I know they have plans for developing Draper, but this was years before they had those plans. They had a map of the whole OKC area showing all the city lakes, and there was an outline just west of Lake Draper that said "Proposed Lake".

[Midtowner]

Another lake south of town might really help out in terms of making sure that our water supply can sustain future growth.

These sorts of things must be done many years in advance. This needs to happen soon. The price increases as time rolls on.

[Spartan]

No, they were planning for another lake. I know they have plans for developing Draper, but this was years before they had those plans. They had a map of the whole OKC area showing all the city lakes, and there was an outline just west of Lake Draper that said "Proposed Lake".

Oh, yes, yes, I know what you're talking about. I am pretty sure these plans are off due to skyrocketing residential growth in the area. They waited till too late. Interestingly enough I'm living in a home we built last winter in an addition on Sooner Road.

[BG918]

I know I would much rather live in a home either on a lake, even if it is not that big, or near a lake rather than in just any subdivision surrounded by trees and farmland. This new lake would help with OKC's long-term water needs and create an attractive new recreation area in the south Metro. This lake could rival Lake Hefner in its position as a great sailing spot and there would be plenty of currently undeveloped land for homes along the south shoreline in Goldsby and the more wooded coves in between Norman and Noble.

If you were a national tech/research company looking at locating in the south campus research park around Highway 9 and Jenkins, wouldn't a lake next door be more enticing? Especially for your future employees as many could have a home/condo on or near the lake and still be within 5 min. of the research park. Norman, even with the greenbelts in place, continues to sprawl to the west, north, and east away from central Norman (downtown/Campus Corner) and this could help reverse that by developing more of south-central and southeast Norman with residential and keeping most entertainment/dining/retail options in central Norman.

An area of retail shops and restaurants with balconies overlooking the lake would be cool though, maybe at the end of Chautauqua or Jenkins and surrounded by homes and condos with a public beach area and jogging trails?

Maybe someday with all the OU students so close the lake could be like Texoma/Grand/Eufaula and be a popular place for boats/jet skis to congregate on sandy beaches (they would definitely be sandy if you have ever driven down by the Canadian River, lots o' sand) during holiday weekends or just weekends in general. Think something like this on a public beach...

[OUSoonerfan3]

Good idea, but since the endangered Interior Least Tern nests along the river, I doubt it will ever be made into a lake.

[windowphobe]

Maybe they can import some Superior Greatest Terns.

(Yeah, I know: a tern for the worst. Sue me.)

[BG918]

Tulsa has least tern habitat as well, on the Arkansas River. That hasn't stopped plans for building a dam and 12 mile lake there. The birds can make their habitat on the beaches.

[jbrown84]

I don't think a long, narrow lake would be ideal for sailing, or waterskiing either, but other activities would work there.

I thought the Channels project involved draining Zink Lake.

[BG918]

Saw this in the Transcript today. I may just have to send Rep. Cole my plan and see what he thinks because the federal/state govt. is about to drop a good amount of cash into another water source for the South Metro:

Cole introduces legislation for water study

U.S. Congressman Tom Cole introduced legislation Tuesday that would authorize $300,000 for a water feasibility study to establish additional sources of water for Norman, Midwest City and Del City. The study would include possible proposals for drilling additional wells, increasing the storage capacity of Lake Thunderbird and transporting surplus water from outside sources.?

"One of the growing concerns in Oklahoma is the lack of water sources," the fourth district congressman said in a prepared statement. "This water feasibility study is critically needed in order to facilitate the long-term vitality and well-being of the citizens served by the Central Oklahoma Master Conservatory District and of Oklahoma as a whole."

"As the population of central Oklahoma continues to grow, the demands for municipal and industrial water sources will continue to increase," Cole said. "I am hopeful Congress will pass this legislation to assist in alleviating the shortages caused by central Oklahoma's growing population and lack of water sources."

Specifically, the study will examine the most viable options to meet the future needs of the Central Oklahoma Master Conservatory District and the cities it serves. These projects include:

The drilling of additional wells.

The implementation of a seasonal pool plan at Lake Thunderbird.

The construction of terminal storage to hold wet-weather yield from Lake Thunderbird.

A reallocation of water storage.

The importation of surplus water from sources outside the basin of Lake Thunderbird.

The feasibility study will begin no later than one year after the legislation is passed.