Corps Begins Releasing Water From Keystone Dam

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers opened 18 gates at the Keystone Dam Wednesday morning.  

The Corps says Keystone Lake is about 6.5 feet above its normal elevation at 729.56 feet because of runoff from the last month's heavy rains.  That means 150,000 gallons of water or 20,000 cubit feet per second if flowing out of the lake.  

Officials say that enough water to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool every four seconds.

The Corps says this release is part of normal operating procedures and there is no danger of flooding due to the release.

Earlier this month, the Corps of Engineers opened the floodgates at the Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam south of Sallisaw because recent rains that have raised the lake's level.

12/15/2015 Related Story: Corps Opens Floodgates At Robert S. Kerr Lock And Dam