Dam Inspection To Cause Problems For Drivers

Hulah Dam will be closed for inspections starting Monday. The Army Corps of Engineers says it's time to clean-up all the debris from recent storms. Twenty-three miles of highway will be shut down for the rest of the month during the day. Most drivers say it's no big deal, but some say there needs to be more early warning.

The News On 6's Jeffrey Smith reports it is the first dam inspection in five years.

The Corps of Engineers says the inspection of Hulah Dam is completely routine. But because of all the heavy rain this spring, they are expecting to find a lot of debris and driftwood underneath those gates

"It was a surprise to see, and I certainly didn't know anything about it," said Dewey resident Hank Hamilton.

Hamilton was out on a country ride with his son when he came across a sign warning him that through the end of July, State Highway 10 will be shut down during the day between Highway 75 and Highway 99. That's a 23 mile stretch of road.

"We're going to have to alter our road by, I guess we'll have Kansas and go west, that's our next available road," said Hamilton.

But the Corps of Engineers says they've got no other choice. Pieces of driftwood create big problems for dam gates.

"A lot of debris comes into the lake when these high water flows go through that," said Ross Adkins of the

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

For the next 10 days, Hulah Dam will be shut down for inspections.

"What we're doing is really looking at the gates, make sure everything is safe, make sure everything is working properly, and remove any debris," said Adkins.

Adkins says it's not a high traffic area. Most drivers agree.

"Farmers and ranchers travel it, I mean, that's just country people," said Bartlesville resident Alicia Owen.

"Coming off 75, you got plenty of warning to turn around, and go back," said Hulah resident Preston Hemphill.

But Hamilton says for out-of-towners there should be more early warning.

"There should have been something on 75, because that's going to be the origination point for most people," said Hamilton.

But he says riding along the lake, you can see a lot of debris. Now this inspection will keep the area clean for years to come.           

The drivers that we spoke to say the road is not that well traveled, we'll find a way around it during the inspections. Plus, the road will re-open every day at 3 p.m. once the daily inspections are complete.