November 29th GRDA Weekly Update
With the Christmas holiday quickly approaching, GRDA Police are excited to join dozens of communities in spreading the holiday spirit in the coming weeks. Officers will adorn police boats with holiday lights and decorations to attend events in twenty-eight communities across Oklahoma, Kansas, and Arkansas to participate in community Christmas parades. We look forward to seeing you at your community celebration!
GRDA “Rush For Brush” Program Receives Keep Oklahoma Beautiful Award
The Grand River Dam Authority’s popular “Rush For Brush” program – established a decade ago to help enhance the fisheries habitat on GRDA lake waters – is the recipient of the 2017 “State Government Program” award, presented by Keep Oklahoma Beautiful (KOB). GRDA received the award at the KOB Environmental Excellence Celebration on Saturday, November 17, in Norman.
GRDA Vice President of Ecosystems and Lake Management Dr. Darrell Townsend and GRDA Ecosystems Management Administrative Coordinator Jacklyn Jaggars were on hand to accept the award on behalf of the organization. Also representing GRDA at the event were Vice President of Scenic Rivers Operations Ed Fite (who was named to the KOB Board of Directors earlier this month); GRDA Superintendent of Shoreline Enforcement Scott Horton and GRDA Biologist Dustin Browning.
The GRDA Ecosystems Management Department created the Rush for Brush program as a way to enhance the fisheries habitat in the waters of Grand Lake, Lake Hudson and the W.R. Holway Reservoir. At annual workshops, GRDA supplies the materials and volunteers supply the labor to help construct these habitats from concrete blocks and PVC pipe. Designed to protect fry and fingerlings in the water, the artificial habitats will stay in place longer than a natural brush pile in the lake. After construction, volunteers take the finished habitats and put them at a location of their choosing in the lake. Since the first workshop in 2007, the program’s popularity and participation has continued to rise. At the same time, the fisheries of GRDA lake waters (as well as the fishing reputation among anglers) has also continued to grow.
According to keepoklahomabeautiful.com, KOB is a statewide nonprofit organization founded in 1965 and is a state affiliate of “Keep America Beautiful” which is a nonprofit organization with a national network of nearly 1,000 participating organizations working together to improve communities through litter prevention, waste reduction and beautification. Its mission is to empower Oklahoma citizens to preserve and enhance the state’s natural beauty and ensure a healthy, sustainable environment.”
Stop Get Connected
Did You Know?
There were 4,463 boating crashes that resulted in 701 deaths, 2,903 injuries and approximately $49 million dollars of damage to property in the US last year.
Keepin' It Grand
Coats For Kids
Prop Talk
Lake debris is not uncommon in any lake, and damage to your boat propeller can happen to the best of us. The lower water levels we see this time of year, especially with a deficit of rain, can result in unexpected damage. Here are a few tips on how to reduce the risk of damage:
- Keep an eye on your depth locator; just because the lake is deep in some areas, does not mean it’s necessarily safe in other areas of the lake, especially when you are close to the shoreline or an island. If you don’t have a depth locator, the rule of thumb is to stay away from the islands or in between them, because most areas between islands are very shallow or have hidden dangers just beneath the surface. Watch the depth!!
- Watch out for docking ropes, chains, and even fish stringers tied to the end of the dock; know where these are before docking your boat and keep those dock lines properly tied off while under way. These can get caught around the prop causing damage.
- Lake debris such as logs, twigs, loose lumber, etc. always pose an often hidden hazard. Sometimes you can see logs and other debris but sometimes you can’t see them until you feel it, and by then the damage has already been done.
- Check your prop on a regular basis. You will often have prop strikes and not even know it, and over time your prop will become damaged to the point you not only lose performance, but it can also leave you adrift. Before putting your boat to bed for the winter, check your prop thoroughly so it can be replaced or repaired in the off-season. Otherwise, the beginning of next season may not begin the way you want. Remember that without the propeller, your boat is just a very nice, expensive raft!
Think safety on the roads
Boating Tips From the GLSPS
Looking for a special Christmas gift for a boater? The United States Power Squadrons, America’s Boating Club, offers several online courses. The popular “America’s Boating Course” is an informative course for both the new and experienced boater. The course is also taught locally by the Grand Lake Sail & Power Squadron for those who prefer classroom instruction and includes on-the-water training.
Another online course is Partner in Command. It’s designed for anyone who is a regular passenger on a family or friend’s boat. It includes an introduction to boating, understanding anchoring, docking, navigation, how to prepare for bad weather, first aid and on-board emergencies. The fully interactive online learning seminar can be completed in 2 – 4 hours. For more information go to www.usps.org or visit the local website at: usps.org/grandlake or on Face Book at GLSPS.
By the Book
The Administrative Regulations of GRDA describe the organizations, operations, and procedures for the Grand River Dam Authority with respect to its administration, rulemaking, and other activities and are intended to supplement and interpret pertinent provisions of state statutes.
The following information are excerpts of the GRDA Administrative Regulations Title 300 Chapter 35 that are provided in an effort to educate the public about what regulations are enforced on GRDA waterways and properties. Many of these regulations have changed effective September 11, 2017. All GRDA regulations are available for review at GRDA.com.
300:35-3-9. Fishing and hunting
(a) Fishing or hunting within restricted areas will not be permitted.
(b) Fishing or hunting will not be permitted within two hundred (200) feet of the tailraces below the dams.
(c) Fishing or hunting, except commercial bait operators, will not be permitted at such other points on or about the lakes where such use will unduly interfere with navigation or proper conduct of the business of GRDA or endanger the public.
(d) Fishing and hunting in the Neosho Bottoms will only be allowed when properly permitted by GRDA. All permitted individuals shall have a proper hunting license in accordance with Oklahoma law and shall only use shotguns, primitive firearms, or proper archery equipment. No rifles shall be allowed within the Neosho Bottoms. Additionally removal of trees or shrubs of any kind from GRDA land shall not be allowed for use as ground blinds.
(e) No hunting shall be allowed on GRDA lands used in the generation, delivery or transmission of electricity.
300:35-3-10. Firearms
(a) Only shotguns, primitive firearms, and legal archery equipment are allowed on GRDA property.
(b) All hunting on any GRDA property shall be conducted in accordance with Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation regulations and all state and federal firearm laws.
(c) The discharge of any firearms or archery equipment in, over or across the waters of the lakes is expressly prohibited except as regulated by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. In no event shall the use of firearms or archery equipment be conducted in a manner which interferes with the business of GRDA's projects or endangers the public.
Do you have a Special Event Planned?
PLEASE let us know about your lake or river events so we can provide the resources you may need to make it a positive experience!
2017 Lake Events Schedule
Grand Lake Christmas Boat Parade: December 9, Duck Creek
Adopt-the-Shoreline
Numbers to Call
GRDA Police Dispatch 918-256-0911
GRDA Ecosystems and Education Center 918-782-4726
GRDA Lake Permits 918-256-0852
E-mail: lakepermits@grda.com
GRDA Pensacola Dam Tours & Facility Information 918-256-0899
Comments:
Map It
Find a business near you.
