Looking back on GRDAs’ 2018: Part 3

In our third installment of GRDA’s 2018 In Review, we look back at the busy summer months. From summer camps and river clean-ups to shoreline workshops and other lake activities, there was a lot going on. Here are some highlights…

July: With summer’s arrival in Northeast Oklahoma, students moved from the classrooms to the river bank and lake shore. GRDA was proud to team with the Oklahoma Conservation Commission and the Oklahoma State University Extension Office to host both the Journey to the Bottom of the Creek and A Grand Adventure workshops for students. The day-long camps focused on water quality and conservation, aquifers, as well as other creek-side and lake-side experiences. Plans are already in the works for 2019 events.

August: In August, GRDA said goodbye to longtime board member and Grand Laker Ed Townsend, who completed his term on the board. Also that month, Joe Vandeiver (Owasso) ended his yearlong term as board chairman before handing the gavel over to Tom Kimball (Owasso) who is serving as the current GRDA Chairman. Also that month, Jim Richie (Jay) was chosen by his fellow board members to serve as chair-elect in 2018-19.

Down on the Illinois River, the GRDA Float Crew, which cleans up trash and recyclable materials along the river bank, reported that it had collected 103 pounds of aluminum during its mid-summer campaign. Like the Grand Lake Adopt The Shoreline program, which kicked off earlier in the year, this cleanup effort promotes safety, scenic views and helps GRDA fulfill its stewardship mission.

September: In September, the education opportunities continued as GRDA helped to host lake management personnel from all across the country during a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) workshop. Among other activities, the group learned to build artificial (Rush For Brush) fish habitats at Wolf Creek Park, in Grove. They also had the chance to learn about other GRDA lake management practices.

Next week, our review continues with a look back at the last three months of 2018. 

Headquartered in Vinita, GRDA is Oklahoma’s state-owned electric utility; fully funded by revenues from electric and water sales instead of taxes. Each day, GRDA strives to be an “Oklahoma agency of excellence” by focusing on the 5 E’s: electricity, economic development, environmental stewardship, employees and efficiency.