Saturday, March 30, 2013

Public Meeting Results

A nice sized crowd was on hand for the Canton Lake Association's public meeting on Thursday evening in the Canton Elementary Gym Complex. Many guest speakers traveled from all corners of the state to share their knowledge and experience in fighting similar water battles that we face with OKC.

 We heard from Legislators and Government Agencies, as well as Grass Roots Organizers and while each of them shared vary valuable information on a vast array of topics, one message was consistent and perfectly clear from all, "KEEP FIGHTING, you are making a difference".

People across the state are taking  notice and an interest in this situation. As the word spreads and the people hear about what is happening here, the Canton Lake situation is becoming more and more talked about and harder for OKC to sweep under the rug. Applying political, as well as public opinion pressure may be all we have for now, but it seems to be helping to shape the future of Canton Lake water in a positive fashion.

As CLA Board members we all knew this wasn't going to be an easy over night fight when we took it up, but we are committed to stay the course. Even if nothing else seems to come from our efforts in the short term, we will keep making those in power in OKC uncomfortable with their decisions to abuse this precious resource.

As President of the CLA stated at the close of the meeting, "We will keep fighting this fight!"  We greatly appreciate all the new members that signed up and we look forward to more of you doing so in the future. Thank you for your support in this battle for our lake. If you have not done so, we invite you to visit our website and join today.

www.cantonlakeinfo.com

Wednesday, March 27, 2013


Please make plans to join us for our public meeting tomorrow evening Thursday the 28th of March, at 6:30 pm. Meeting to be held at the Canton Public Schools Elementary Gym/Auditorium Complex. This meeting will be very informative about our lake and it's current condition as well as future plans the CLA has for improvements and fighting for our water. We will be joined my several special guests who are very informed about water battles and water rights. We hope to see you there.

Monday, March 25, 2013

A good sign!

While it is still very shallow, there is now water up to the ramp at the Canadian day use area! While we are still a long way from unloading deep bottom boats, this will allow shallow running, small fishing boats to unload and go chase some fish! Hoping for more rain and rising levels in the near future! Walleye Rodeo is looking up!

Friday, March 22, 2013

OKC resident questions OKC Water Utilities Trust.

Many OKC residents are taking water usage seriously and holding the OKC Water Utilities Trust feet to the fire as to why there isn't a more comprehensive water conservation plan in effect already. Ron Ferrell a former Leedey OK native now resides in OKC and has for a good many years, he questions Marsha Slaughter with the OCWUT about a water plan.





Thursday, March 21, 2013

KOSU Radio's "On Tap" Event in OKC

Jeff Converse President of the CLA debates and discusses water issues with Marsha Slaughter director of the Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust at an event sponsored by KOSU Radio in OKC's Paseo District. The event was well attended by many OKC residents including several who are Canton Lake supporters who questioned Ms. Slaughter rather vigorously as to why OKC has not implemented a much stricter water policy before now. They mentioned cities such as San Antonio who have implemented water conservation plans that have been extremely successful. Jeff brought to light many points that needed discussed and held Ms. Slaughter and her organization accountable for their use of Canton Lake water. CLA Board member Tom Adams was also in attendance, as well as CLA Vice President Curtis Hoskins and his wife Donna. Keeping the Canton Lake situation on the minds of those in OKC is a primary goal for the CLA.

Correction for Woodward News!


The Woodward News put in the wrong date for the Thursday, March 28th meeting at the Canton Elementary School Gym Complex at 6:30 p.m.. They should make the correction tomorrow (Thursday), but if they don't, tell your Woodward friends the correct date.

Current Lake Elevation


Current Readings:

  • Pool elevation is 1600.79 feet on Thursday 21Mar13 Time: 1200 hours.
  • At this elevation the total amount of water stored in Canton Lake is 28028 acre-feet.
  • Reservoir release is 0 cubic feet per second on Thursday 21Mar13 Time: 1200 hours.
  • Conservation pool is 14.74% full.
  • Conservation storage filled is 14131 acre-feet which is equivalent to 0.03 inches of runoff over the entire drainage basin.
  • Conservation storage empty is 81714 acre-feet which is equivalent to 0.20 inches of runoff over the entire drainage basin.

State Water Day at the Capitol

Members of the Canton Lake Association attended and set up a booth at the State Water Day event at the State Capitol. They discussed the Canton Lake situation with lawmakers. Pictured are State Representative Mike Sanders of Kingfisher, CLA President Jeff Converse of Woodward, CLA Vice president Curtis Hoskins of Watonga and CLA Board Member Tom Adams of Canton. Canton Lake was well represented at the event. They showed pictures of before and after the latest water release to demonstrate the devastation that was done to Canton Lake. They also handed out flyers to interested parties.

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Canton Lake Association works with Corp to extend boat ramp.



The CLA Board worked with the Corp of Engineers in extending the boat ramp at the Canadian Day Use area in hopes of getting closer to the water and allowing at least some smaller boats to be able to launch should the lake come up a couple of feet due to spring rains. The CLA donated the money for the concrete and also helped prepare the site and pour the cement.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Canton Lake Association Announces Public Meeting


Canton Lake Association

Email:
cantonlakeassn@gmail.com
For immediate releaseCanton Lake Association Announces Public MeetingOklahomans for Responsible Water Policy (ORWP) Ready to Help
The Canton Lake Association (CLA) announced a public meeting at Canton Elementary School Gym Complex on Thursday, March 28, 6:30 p.m. Interested persons are invited to attend for thorough discussions on future solutions to preserve Canton Lake water levels, recreation, and western Oklahoma streams and groundwater.
“Devastating actions have compounded Canton Lake’s present condition,” Tom Adams, a CLA board member said. “One issue for the patrons of Canton Lake and the CLA is northwest Oklahoma citizens were left out of the process in the lake’s current federal water storage contract and the state water permit both which exist in perpetuity. When combined, these actions create an environment in which Canton Lake could literally be sucked dry. The primary goal of the CLA is to affect change in the contracts, permits and water laws that enable this to happen to Canton Lake. Another goal of CLA is to give the public a voice in present and future policymaking decisions both at the federal and state level. We simply cannot allow a catastrophe like this to repeat again and again at our lake.”
“The current and future status of our rivers and lakes including challenges brought on by the ongoing drought will be discussed,” said CLA President Jeff Converse. Legislators including State Senator Bryce Marlatt, State Representative Mike Sanders, board members and representatives from a strong conservation group known as Oklahomans for Responsible Water Policy (ORWP, www.orwp.net), and others from various state, federal, and tribal agencies will participate. Additionally, Northwest Oklahoma Alliance (NwOA), a group composed of municipalities, businesses and organizations will speak on a northwest Oklahoma water plan. Discussion and ideas from the general public will be encouraged.
“Representatives from ORWP speaking at the meeting is extremely significant,” said Adams. “The ORWP brings experience to the Canton Lake situation in the form of extensive knowledge of state water law and permitting processes. ORWP has been heavily involved with the Choctaw and Chickasaw Tribes in southeastern Oklahoma in the battle over Sardis Lake and the interstate battle over water between Oklahoma and Texas. Now ORWP is ready to help the Canton Lake community.”
People passionate about keeping water in Canton Lake and its tributaries are urged by the CLA to attend the March 28 meeting in Canton. For further information including how to join the association, go to a blog at www.cantonlakeassn.org or write to Canton Lake Association, P.O. Box 693, Canton, OK 73724.


Friday, March 1, 2013

Wildlife Dept. shares it's concern for Canton Lake.

March 1, 2013
A service of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
 
Wildlife Department monitoring Canton Lake in wake of water releases
            Over the past few weeks, water released from Canton Lake in northwest Oklahoma has been making a 100-mile trek down the North Canadian River to Lake Overholser, where it is then being diverted to Lake Hefner to be used for Oklahoma City drinking water. While the release of more than 7 feet of water is intended to boost water supplies in Oklahoma City, it could lead to significant consequences for Canton Lake, its fish population and the surrounding communities that rely on the lake's economic and recreational drawing power. Officials with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation say they recognize the issues facing the lake and will be diligent to ensure its continued viability as a fishery.
            The water release was initiated by Oklahoma City Utilities, which holds the rights to drain water from the lake. Already down 9.4 feet from normal as a result of drought and two prior water releases by Oklahoma City in 2011, Canton's water level is taking a significant hit.
            "Canton Lake levels are going to be very low going into the spring, and they could drop even lower this summer," said Barry Bolton, chief of fisheries for the Wildlife Department. "That can lead to a host of problems if we don't see some relief from the drought and some significant inflows of water into the lake this spring."
            One of the biggest threats the lake faces is the potential for a significant summer fish die-off as a result of massive plankton blooms that rob the water of oxygen. When water levels become too low at a lake like Canton, a large plankton bloom followed by a few exceptionally overcast days with no wind to aerate the lake can kill large numbers of fish - the most susceptible being those that anglers like to catch, including crappie, walleye, bass, catfish and important food sources like gizzard shad.
            A large fish kill also could impact the state's saugeye stocking program, which currently relies on female walleyes collected from Canton whose eggs are crossed with sauger sperm. The resulting saugeye are stocked in lakes across the state, and a shortage of walleyes at Canton could force the Wildlife Department to find other sources for production not just for 2013, but in the future as well.
             Bolton said the Wildlife Department is keeping a close watch on the situation at Canton Lake and will continue working to maintain the fishery. This spring, fisheries biologists will continue to monitor the lake, conducting regular electrofishing surveys and keeping data on the status of the fishery. In the event of a fish kill, heavy spring rains could raise water levels and bring more fish downstream to Canton from Ft. Supply Lake and, if needed, the Department will analyze the need and possibility of restocking the lake. Additionally, while water levels are down, fisheries personnel will continue habitat work, such as adding structure to the lakebed.
            Business as usual will continue as much as possible around the lake, with events like the famous Canton Walleye Rodeo still slated for May 16-19, 2013. The Walleye Rodeo has been one of the largest fishing events in Oklahoma, drawing families and visitors of all ages to the lake and boosting local economies. More information on the Canton Walleye Rodeo can be found online at walleyerodeo.com.
            Bolton said it is too soon to say exactly how the Canton fishery will be impacted, but he emphasized that the state, its municipalities, its industries, and even its residents should continue striving to make water conservation a top priority.
            "Canton Lake and the communities around it could really suffer from this," Bolton said. "But this whole thing points to a very important overriding message - that we can do a better job at conserving water resources. Sometimes water is used as if it is an unlimited resource, but the problem is that it's not. All of us can do our part to keep the importance of water conservation at the forefront."
            Bolton said municipalities, industries, agencies and even households can use less water, but it starts with a mindset of conservation.
            Canton Lake has historically drawn large numbers of anglers and has offered excellent fishing for several species, but it has been especially well known for its crappie and walleye fishing.
            "It's crucial that we as a state start looking for solutions to making sure we do a better job at conserving water," Bolton said. "Our fisheries depend on it."
            Canton Lake was impounded in 1948. To see a map of Canton Lake, log on tohttp://www.owrb.ok.gov/news/publications/lok/lakes/Canton.php.
  
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A recent view of the dam at Canton Lake in northwest Oklahoma after water releases initiated by Oklahoma City Utilities to provide water in Oklahoma City. Wildlife Department officials say the fishery and surrounding communities face significant consequences without relief from the current drought and significant inflows of water this spring. One of the biggest threats the lake faces is a potential for a summer fish kill as a result of low oxygen levels.
 
 
A recent view of Canton Lake in northwest Oklahoma after water releases initiated by Oklahoma City Utilities to provide water in Oklahoma City. Wildlife Department officials say the fishery and surrounding communities face significant consequences without relief from the current drought and significant inflows of water this spring. One of the biggest threats the lake faces is a potential for a summer fish kill as a result of low oxygen levels.
 
 
A recent view of a boat ramp at Canton Lake in northwest Oklahoma after water releases initiated by Oklahoma City Utilities to provide water in Oklahoma City. Wildlife Department officials say the fishery and surrounding communities face significant consequences without relief from the current drought and significant inflows of water this spring. One of the biggest threats the lake faces is a potential for a summer fish kill as a result of low oxygen levels.
 
 

 
News Contacts: Michael Bergin or Micah Holmes (405) 521-3856
 
This program receives Federal assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and thus prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age, and sex (gender), pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.  To request an accommodation or informational material in an alternative format, please contact (Agency Name, phone number, and TTY number).  If you believe you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or service, please contact:  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program, Attention: Civil Rights Coordinator for Public Access, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia  22203.