Corps Says Keystone Very High Risk Dam

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the Keystone Dam in Tulsa County is considered a very high risk dam.

According to a news release from the Corps office in Tulsa, the reason is the potential consequences from seepage through the foundation and the abutments of the dam and potential overtopping of the dam during a probable maximum flood.

Read the Corps Of Engineers Report.

The Tulsa district office operates 38 water resource projects which provide protection from downstream flooding.  These projects, along with all Corps projects nationwide, have been evaluated for dam safety risk and designated in categories ranging from Low Risk to Extremely High Risk.

Corps officials say the overall objective is to reduce the risks to public safety.

"Let me emphasize that currently there is no evidence to suggest that an emergency situation exists at any of our projects," said Col. Michael Teague, district commander. "The district's dams have been protecting lives and property in this part of the country for 70 years, and this assessment helps ensure that they continue to do so."

In a news release, the Corps says a major component of the risk from Keystone Dam is the proximity of housing and development near Sand Springs and Tulsa to the dam.

"The Corps' primary objective is to maintain public safety by ensuring that the dams we own and operate are safe and that risks to the public are minimized," said Col. Teague.

He says the Tulsa District is currently completing further study of issues at Keystone Dam.