High water levels, debris cleanup delay reopening of Tulsa Wave Park

High water levels and ongoing debris cleanup are keeping the Tulsa Wave Park closed for at least a few more days.

The River Parks Authority says the park will remain shut down through Friday, May 16, as flow from the Keystone Dam continues to back up into the recreation area.

Officials say the park could reopen on May 16, but only if rainfall stays minimal and river conditions improve.

Why is the Wave Park closed?

The issue stems from large volumes of water being released from the Keystone Dam. That water is flowing downstream into the Arkansas River and overwhelming the park’s lower features.

Crews are also dealing with debris cleanup—another key safety concern before reopening is possible.

Flow must drop below 20,000 CFS

According to the River Parks Authority, the park can only operate when the upstream river flow is below 20,000 cubic feet per second (CFS).

"The flow from upstream must be below 20,000 CFS to operate the park due to backwatering of the features," officials said in a statement.

Currently, some walkways remain underwater, and the river continues to flood into the park’s drop pools.

How to stay updated

Visitors are encouraged to check for updates directly from the River Parks Authority:

1. Visit riverparks.org
2. Follow River Parks on social media for real-time alerts

If you have specific questions, you can also reach out to the River Parks team directly through their contact page.