Salvagers assessed that the Webbers pool would need to be lowered in order to facilitate the removal of the wrecked barges. Everyone's success in this endeavor would be directly related to how well we communicated."Īfter traversing high volume flows and navigating around many areas of shoaling caused by the flood water, the salvage crew arrived at Webbers Falls on the morning of August 9. “We knew this recovery process was going to have a lot of variables, and would be an extremely fluid situation requiring constant communication with all parties involved. "Our navigation folks as well as folks from our Hydraulic and Hydrological Engineering sections were in constant contact with barge owners, salvage crews and stakeholders,” stated Lieutenant Colonel Rick Childers, Deputy District Commander. Once onsite, the salvage company, barge owners and the Tulsa District could determine a way forward. Tulsa District engineers determined that because of the pressure of high-volume flows and a lack of proximate capabilities, the wreckage would stay in place under constant monitoring until a salvage crew, which had been contracted by the barge owner, could make its way up the MKARNS from Mississippi. Water levels at this point were so high on the MKARNS that Tulsa District locks 14, 17 and 18 were completely inundated and under water. A loss of this dam would not be life threatening.” “The purpose for this structure is intended to hold pools for navigation and hydropower and are not considered a floods risk structure. These structures were designed to endure a collision of this magnitude,” stated Rodney Beard, Tulsa District’s Chief of Navigation. “There was never a concern on whether or not this dam would withstand the impact from the barges. The second barge came to rest on top of the first, impeding both the river’s flow, and blocking operation of four gates.
Less than a minute after striking the dam, the barges sunk to the base of the structure. The river at Three Forks less than a half mile upstream of the Port of Muskogee crested at 46.39 feet, approximately 24 feet above normal.ĭuring the flood two barges broke away from their moorings and drifted from the port down the McClellan Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System and slammed into Webbers Falls Lock & Dam 16 on May 23.
The official spelling of the name was changed to Muskogee by the post office in 1900 – Wikipedia.Record rainfall throughout northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas in May 2019 pushed the Arkansas River to near record heights. The county and city were named for the Muscogee Nation. As of the 2010 census, the population was 70,990. Geo quick facts: Muskogee County is a county located in the U.S. Officials say they will reconvene in the morning unless there’s been a change in the current measures securing the barges. Friday, May 24, the exact location of the barges is unknown. Their first goal is securing the barges, and the Governors Office is “actively putting together several other options to ensure the security and safety of the area.”Īs of right now, 9:00 p.m.
They say these ports are engineered to face these types of incidences, but the state is not going to take any risks with this. I’m told the owner has been working closely throughout the day with various levels of government. The state will continue to monitor the barges and remain engaged until the situation is resolved,” reports 5NEWSOnline. “The owners are actively working to slow down the movement of these four barges and secure their assets. A spokesperson for Governor Kevin Stitt released the following statement: