Oklahoma City Takes Action to Replenish Lake Hefner Water Supply from Canton Lake

Oklahoma City is taking crucial steps to ensure its water supply remains stable, pushing forward with a plan to transfer water from Canton Lake to Lake Hefner, which serves as a key reservoir for the region. According to an announcement by The Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust (OCWUT), the release started last Tuesday, Oct. 22, and will extend until Nov. 5, aiming to deliver 16,000-acre feet of water.

This operation, deemed necessary by OCWUT, will bolster Lake Hefner's water levels, which are significantly below optimal capacity. In coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, efforts are underway to adjust the flow of water to prevent possible flooding from the upcoming rain events.“We appreciate the concerns of legislators and community members in Western Oklahoma and are committed to working collaboratively to preserve both the economic and recreational value of Canton Lake,” said Chris Browning, Oklahoma City Utilities Director and OCWUT General Manager. Despite these rains, experts maintain that they will not sufficiently sustain Lake Hefner's needs, as stated on the city's official website.

Challenges like water loss due to soil absorption and evaporation are a reality in the arid conditions surrounding the North Canadian River. OCWUT's strategy of maintaining a continuous release of water from Canton Lake is designed to keep the riverbed stable and water flow consistent, thus mitigating these losses.

With 100% of the Canton Lake water storage allocation rights, OCWUT underlines its role in securing Oklahoma City's safe drinking water, especially during dry spells that reduce water levels. Trust officials announced that even after adding Canton's water to Hefner, it will still fall four feet below its intended level. However, a balance between the two lake levels is expected, "The requested release will lower Canton Lake to a level approximately the same as Hefner," according to the same source.