Timeline of Lake Waxhoma dam issues

The temporary patch on the dam over Lake Waxhoma in Barnsdall failed on Wednesday, and city leaders and first responders are still keeping a close eye on it.

Timeline of Events:

2019: Significant Breach

- The dam suffers a major breach, prompting immediate concern for residents and the local community. 

- Following the breach, Mayor Johnny Kelley announces the need for a comprehensive plan to address the dam's structural issues.

2021: Funding Efforts and Temporary Fix

- A patch was applied to the dam to temporarily fix the situation.

- City leaders begin the long process of securing funding to replace the dam. 

April 2025: Water Pump Operations

- The town installs a water pump (siphon) to manage water levels, running continuously due to heavy rains. 

- Mayor Kelley reassures residents about the situation but emphasizes the need for a permanent solution.

Recent Developments

- The temporary patch on the dam fails on April 30, 2025, leading to heightened monitoring by city officials and first responders. 

- Kelley confirms that while no one is in danger, they are closely watching the situation for any changes. 

“We'll continue to monitor it around the clock, and in the event that something happens that we feel like it is upgraded to something that might endanger someone's lives, we'll take some measures to notify people,” Kelley said.

Progress on Rebuilding Plans

- Mayor Johnny Kelley expresses optimism about moving forward with the dam replacement project. 

- Mayor Johnny Kelley reports ongoing efforts to get approval for engineering and environmental assessments necessary for grant applications. 

“We've been trying to get approval for our engineering and all the environmental stuff that we have to meet to secure the grants and the funds required to repair the dam, and to actually not repair, but to replace the dam. So that's just been it's a huge process to try to get anything like that done. I mean, it's a lot of money,” Kelley said.

“It'll be a probably a six month, one month long project to rebuild it. I spoke with the engineers and several other agencies this morning on a conference call, and they assured me they would have everything completed by the first week, so we could go out for bids and try to get a contractor secured to rebuild this dam,” Kelley said.

Community Impact:

- Local residents, like one person living near the dam, express concerns and take precautions, such as relocating livestock to safer areas.

Latest Progress: As the city of Barnsdall continues to navigate the challenges surrounding the Lake Waxhoma dam, officials remain committed to securing the necessary funding and support for a lasting solution.