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Hulah Lake levels continue to fall as drought conditions grip the lake's watershed area in Southeast Kansas. Because the lake is the primary water supply for Bartlesville and the surrounding area, City officials have asked that all citizens voluntarily conserve water. The City Council is expected to consider taking proposed actions in April aimed at reducing consumption, including higher water rates, restrictions on outdoor watering, and the closure of City-owned splash pads.
Hulah Lake photos by Debbie Neece
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Water conservation top priority as levels fall
Overall water supply declines as drought conditions worsen
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Water conservation remains a top priority for Bartlesville and the surrounding area as overall supply continues to decline due to drought conditions here and the Hulah Lake watershed, located in Southeast Kansas.
The City of Bartlesville issued a call for conservation in December 2022. At that time, overall supply levels had reached 71 percent. Those levels have continued to fall since then, this week hitting the lowest number in the four-month period.
The numbers
"Our overall water supply level has fallen to 62.1 percent while our water use has held steady, at 4.2 mgd (million gallons per day)," said Water Utilities Director Terry Lauritsen.
The City is currently in Phase 2 of the Drought Contingency Plan, which was created following a severe drought that occurred over the fall of 2001 into the spring of 2002.
"We are very close to entering Phase 3, which will occur when our levels hit 60 percent," Lauritsen said. "Pending approval of the City Council in April, Phase 3 would prompt the implementation of several restrictions aimed at reducing consumption, including higher water rates, restricted outdoor watering, and the closure of City-owned splash pads."
If levels continue to decline and the City enters the "critical" phase, or Phase 4 of the plan, outdoor watering could be eliminated altogether and swimming pools could be closed for the summer in addition to the other measures.
How did we get here?
While drought conditions are primarily to blame for the problem, it was certainly exacerbated by something that seemed, at least in 2021, mostly unrelated: the renovation of the Caney River Pump Station.
The station was taken off-line in mid-2021 for a much-needed renovation, eliminating the City's ability to pull 4 millions of water per day from the Caney River. The shut-down was intended to take a few months, but supply chain issues caused by the pandemic wreaked havoc with that plan.
"Basically, we were unable to get an essential piece of equipment needed to operate the pump station due to supply chain issues, and that has kept the station off-line for more than a year — far longer than was anticipated," said Lauritsen.
Without the ability to withdraw 4 mgd from the river, that water was pumped directly from Hulah Lake into the City-owned Hudson Lake, where it is then taken into and treated at the City's water treatment plant.
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This created more of a load on Hulah Lake than it was able to handle due to the drought in Kansas, Lauritsen said.
"Had the pump station been on-line and working all this time, we could have been meeting our water needs without taxing the lake, so while we would likely still be concerned about the impact the drought is having on the lake, the problem wouldn't be as bad as it is," he said.
The equipment that caused the delay, a motor control — the part required to start the pump and operate the system — was eventually found by the contractor working on the pump station project, Lauritsen said.
"We were a year out on every vendor we tried," he said. "The contractor finally found one that had been purchased for another job but not used."
Now that a motor control has been located, the pump station should be operational again by mid-April, Lauritsen said.
Copan Lake: High cost for little ROI
Some Bartlesville residents may recall that retired U.S. Sen. James Inhofe worked tirelessly to broker an agreement between the City and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that allows the City to purchase water rights at Copan Lake, thanks to a provision Inhofe authored in America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018.
The agreement had been sought since studies following the 2001-02 Bartlesville drought indicated obtaining water from Copan Lake was the City's most feasible option for drought management into the foreseeable future.
"At the time that this option was sought, it was the most feasible option for the City to pursue," Lauritsen said. "However, while Sen. Inhofe's work enabled the City to obtain the last remaining water rights at Copan Lake, the agreement only gives us access to 1 million gallons of water per day from Copan Lake.
"And unfortunately, the cost to pump that 1 mgd from the lake to the water plant was about $38 million in 2014. Today's prices would be considerably higher. Because of this, the conveyance of Copan Lake water to Bartlesville will be through the Caney River, utilizing the City’s pump station in Johnstone Park.
Water reuse: Years away
Anyone paying attention to Bartlesville water issues has certainly heard about the City's water resuse system — a project that got off the ground a few years ago, thanks to Oklahoma's passage of the Water for 2060 Act.
The water reuse system involves the construction and installation of infrastructure that will consist of a pump station at the wastewater treatment plant and an underground pipeline transporting the water to the Caney River just south of the County Road West 1500 bridge. This will allow the City to utilize treated wastewater to augment the yield of the Caney River during periods of drought.
“We will pump treated wastewater approximately seven miles upstream of the Caney River Raw Water Intake and allow it to blend with existing river water, then send it to the water treatment plant for further treatment and, from there, to our water customers," Lauritsen said.
While the system is vital for the area to guard against drought in the future, it won't be on-line in time to help with the current problem, Lauritsen said.
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"This system will ensure area water needs are met at least 30 years into the future, with the potential to extend our water resources another 60-70 years, depending on demand," Lauritsen said. "But we are still a few years away from being able to use this system to meet our water supply needs."
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Has it been this bad before?
While the situation has the potential to be dire, Bartlesville has been here before, Lauritsen said.
"We were in a very similar situation in 2012-13," he said. "Our numbers looked very similar to this, until it rained in April and May and lake levels were restored.
"Of course, our most serious drought occurred in 2001-02, when Hulah Lake was down to 17 percent before it rained in June and July of 2002 and re-filled the lake. Thankfully, we are nowhere near that level today."
Restrictions necessary
The City Council is expected to consider modifications to the Water Storage Ordinance and a resolution to enact the emergency water rate provisions of the Water Shortage Ordinance during its April 3 meeting, Lauritsen said.
"The ordinance modifications will better define and update measures outlined in the Drought Contingency Plan, which was written following the drought of 2002," he said.
Lauritsen said water use can easily double — or even triple — during the summer months, which will only compound the problem. He said evaporation also contributes to the problem during the summer months.
"During the summer, we lose a little more to evaporation than we consume daily," Lauritsen said. "So that is actually a pretty big problem during those warmer months."
Projected outcomes
How long will the water we have left last without rain and/or serious attention to conservation efforts? It's hard to say, but Lauritsen says that even with the pump station up and running by mid-April, the area could enter the "critical" stage for water supply in June.
"If it doesn't rain, and if our water use climbs as it would during a typical summer, we anticipate dropping below 50 percent of water supply in June," he said. "That 50 percent mark is what we would consider critical."
Lauritsen says while he is hopeful that some good, old fashioned rainfall will fill the lake and resolve the issue yet again for Bartlesville, it pays to be cautious and plan carefully.
"Certainly, it could rain enough between now and June that conservation would no longer be required, but it would be better to conserve now unnecessarily than be unprepared to deal with a potentially dangerous situation later," he said.
"Hopefully, we will begin to conserve in big enough numbers that we can have an impact on this if the worst-case scenario comes to pass. We are strongly urging everyone to do their best to conserve water as we navigate our way through this."
Some ways you can help:
- Take shorter showers. This is the No. 1 most effective thing we can do (indoors) to conserve.
- Consider installing "low flow" plumbing, i.e., toilets, shower heads, etc. Also, replace any leaky or defective parts.
- Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or shaving.
- Never use the toilet as a wastebasket. Only human waste and toilet paper should go into the toilet — ever.
- Run the washing machine only when full and adjust the water level setting carefully.
- Stop or reduce outdoor watering.
For more information, see www.cityofbartlesville.org.
Special thanks to Bartlesville Area History Museum Collections Manager Debbie Neece for providing photos for this story.
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City joins national campaign to conserve water
Residents can register to participate at mywaterpledge.com
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Bartlesville Mayor Dale Copeland is joining mayors across the country who are asking residents to make a long-term commitment to reduce pollution and manage water resources more wisely.
In return, residents can win more than $50,000 in eco-friendly prizes, including $3,000 toward their home utility payments, water saving fixtures, and hundreds of other prizes. Plus, this year students from thousands of schools across the country can make water conservation commitments that directly support their city’s standings.
The annual non-profit national community service campaign encourages leaders to inspire their residents, between April 1-30, to commit to making small changes at mywaterpledge.com to use water more efficiently, reduce pollution, and save energy. The program was started 10 years ago by a handful of mayors who were looking for alternative ways to engage their residents more deeply about the coming water challenges in the United States.
"The Mayor's Water Challenge is a worthy campaign any time during any year, but it hits especially close to home this year due to our current water situation," Copeland said. "Each week, we continue to see our overall water levels decline, which has now pushed us into Phase 2 of our Drought Contingency Plan. It is imperative that we conserve this precious resource, and the time to do so is now. I strongly encourage everyone to join this challenge and take the pledge at mywaterpledge.com."
Last year, residents from more than 2,000 cities in all 50 states pledged to reduce their annual consumption of freshwater by more than 1 billion gallons, reduce waste sent to landfills by 35 million pounds, and prevent nearly one hundred thousand of pounds of hazardous waste from entering our watersheds.
The Challenge goes beyond short term issues and looks at the ways our water use will affect the future of our communities — from how we manage our coasts, lakes, and rivers to reducing polluted runoff. To participate, residents go to mywaterpledge.com, and then make a series of online pledges to conserve water on behalf of the City of Bartlesville.
Cities compete in the following population categories:
- 5,000-29,999 residents
- 30,000-99,999 residents
- 100,000-299,999 residents
- 300,000-599,999 residents
- 600,000+ residents
Cities with the highest percentage of residents who take the challenge in their population category a chance to win $3,000 toward their Home Utility Bills, and hundreds more eco-friendly prizes including Toro Irrigation Smart Controllers, Gift cards for Hobie Surf Shops, and more. In addition, one school from each winning city will receive 100 pairs of Zenni Remakes™ eyeglasses that help reduce damage to eyes from prolonged exposure to blue light. Each pair is made from the recycled plastics equal to three discarded single use plastic water bottles.
Participating residents are also encouraged to use a custom created digital tool called MyVolunteer Water Project, in support of the program, that gives residents a unique way to do hands-on home, community, and workplace projects year-round in support of their city’s sustainability efforts. The more projects residents do throughout the year, the better chance a city wins the mayor’s challenge in April.
The National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation is presented by the Wyland Foundation, with support from the U.S EPA WaterSense, The Toro Company, Zenni Optical, and National League of Cities.
Note: Most of the information in this story was provided by the Wyland Foundation.
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ODOT: State Highway 60 project set for 2025
Highland concrete panel, mill & overlay likely to start in 2024
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I think the State has Adams Boulevard scheduled for a complete restoration. Can you give us an update or time schedule on this project?
Adams Boulevard, or Highway 60, is owned and maintained by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, not the City of Bartlesville. So ODOT plans could change without City staff necessarily being aware, but here's what we know about it at this time:
"This project is currently planned for a February 2025 bid," said City Director of Engineering Micah Siemers. "City staff are expected to attend a 60 percent plan review meeting with ODOT in early April, so they are coming along on the construction plans. If the project bids in February 2025, I would anticipate a spring or early summer construction start in 2025."
Siemers also said ODOT has another project that has already been bid to replace the overpass at highways 60 and 75.
"They are holding off starting that until the Caney River bridge project is complete, so that project could start early summer of this year," he said.
When are you doing that?
When is Highland Drive in Oak Park going to be resurfaced? It was approved in the 2020 General Obligation Bond Election. It's really bad and needs to be done soon.
According to Director of Engineering Micah Siemers, the Highland Drive concrete panel with mill and overlay project is planned for the next issuance of the 2020 G.O. Bond, which should take place this fall.
"So, we won’t have funds until this fall, at the earliest, and then will have to get it designed," he said. "So we're likely looking at a summer 2024 construction."
Hulah Lake watershed location
I've been watching the radar whenever rain comes into the area. (Water Utilities Director) Terry Lauritsen has mentioned how we really need rain in parts of Southeast Kansas to help with Hulah Lake. But exactly where? I'm curious to know what specific towns and little burgs need to get more rain to help us downstream.
According to Lauritsen, the town closest to the Hulah Lake watershed, or the area that feeds into and fills the lake, is Cedar Vale, Kan.
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Operation Clean House event set for April 22 | | |
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Operation Clean House — the free, countywide event for Washington County residents to dispose of hazardous household and automotive goods without harming the environment or endangering human health — will be held this year on Earth Day, April 22.
The annual hazardous waste disposal and recycling event has been held locally for more than 30 years. Each year the event enables the safe disposal of more than 10,000 pounds of hazardous waste from the community for free. OCH was historically held on Earth Day but was rescheduled or cancelled in recent years due to the pandemic.
The event returns to its Earth Day roots this year, scheduled from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 22 at two locations: the Phillips 66 downtown parking lot and the District 2 Washington County barn in Dewey.
Volunteers are needed to help offload and organize the waste that is dropped off. Volunteers will receive a free t-shirt and breakfast and/or lunch. To volunteer, contact [email protected] or follow this link to complete the volunteer registration.
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City to hold spring grass, leaf collection in May | |
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The City will hold its next free residential yard debris collection the week of May 8-12.
The event is typically held twice each year, in the spring and fall, to help Bartlesville solid waste utility customers dispose of dead leaves and other yard debris for no extra cost.
Bartlesville residents can put their bagged yard debris or bundled tree limbs at their normal trash collection point on their normal trash day during the collection week, and City crews will come by and pick them up that day. The collection is for the following items only:
- Leaves
- Grass
- Lawn clippings
- Limbs and branches if cut in lengths no longer than four feet and bundled (may not exceed 50 pounds)
During the collection week only, yard debris bags will not require yard waste stickers, and clear or colored bags are allowed. The collection is for private residences only; no commercial collections will be made. There is no limit on the number of bags a resident can put out for the collection. Extra bags or items of household refuse outside the cart must have the red refuse sticker attached.
For more information, contact the Solid Waste Department at 918.338.4130.
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Employee of the Month
City Manager Mike Bailey, right, congratulates Code Enforcement Neighborhood Services Officer Michael Lopez, who was named March Employee of the Month by the City's Employee Advisory Committee. Lopez was selected for the honor after an irate citizen yelled profanities and continually threatened him during a property abatement in November 2022. "NSO Lopez kept a cool head and was professional to the occupant throughout the whole ordeal," said NSO Supervisor Mike Wickham. Lopez received eight hours of special vacation, $25 in Chamber Bucks and a dining gift certificate.
To nominate a City of Bartlesville employee for Employee of the Month, email information to [email protected].
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Board, Committee & Commission Openings
The City of Bartlesville has numerous boards, committees and commissions that are driven by citizen volunteers. All citizens are encouraged and welcome to apply. Board applications are available online and in the City Manager’s Office, located on the second floor of City Hall, 401 S. Johnstone Ave. Applications are kept on file for two years. To view a complete list, see Boards, Committees & Commissions.
The City currently has openings on the following committees/boards:
- One opening on the Bartlesville Area Museum Trust Authority
- One opening on the Bartlesville Redevelopment Trust Authority
- One opening on the Bartlesville Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Board of Directors (Visit Bartlesville)
- One opening on the Construction and Fire Code Appeals Board
- One opening on the White Rose Cemetery Board
For more information, visit the City's website, www.cityofbartlesville.org.
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Kelli Williams, Editor
401 S. Johnstone Ave.
Bartlesville, OK 74003
918.338.4132
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