WRDA Bill passage on Copan Lake ‘major win’ for Bartlesville
The Water Resources Committee on Thursday heard the outcome of a study completed recently on the feasibility of utilizing Kaw Lake to supplement the City’s water supply in the event of severe, extended drought.
The verdict: Accessing water from the lake is a viable option for Bartlesville but would cost the average residential water user an estimated additional $91.40 per month. For businesses, the impact would be much higher — as much as $3 million to $4 million more each year for the city’s largest users.
The cost analysis is based on total estimated project costs, which include water storage fees, intake costs and pipeline conveyance. The report indicates the cost to utilize Kaw Lake for additional water supply would range from just over $252 million to $304 million, depending on the volume of water rights purchased and the route selected for the pipeline from the lake, which is located in Kay County, to the City-owned Hudson Lake, located northwest of Bartlesville.
The study looked at a minimum water right purchase of 14 million gallons per day (mgd) to a maximum of 22 mgd, as well as two options for pipeline routes — one at 48.7 miles and the other at 52.9 miles. The route selected would be based on the City’s ability to acquire the easements required to install the necessary infrastructure. According to the report, the City would need to purchase easements from approximately 200 parcels adjacent to powerlines along the most direct route for the most cost effective option.
The committee did not take any action during the meeting but heard the summary on the Kaw Lake report and a recap of the City’s water history and potential supply options. In addition to Law Lake, the options also included the Ada-Vamoosa Aquifer, located in Osage County, but this option does not seem feasible due to the high cost — an estimated $12.8 million — for just 1.4 mgd.
“Just to do the testing to move forward with this option would be in the $600,000 to $1 million range, which is pretty substantial,” said Water Utilities Director Terry Lauritsen. “Most providers are moving away from ground water sources due to depletion and recovery issues.”
Reallocation most cost effective option for highest yield
Far more cost effective appear to be the remaining two options the committee had requested that City staff continue pursuing:
- Reallocate 10 percent of flood control storage at Hulah Lake, where the City owns all available water rights (12.4 mgd); and
- Acquire additional water rights (2 mgd) at Copan Lake from the Town of Copan and reallocate 10 percent of flood control storage at the lake, where the City currently has rights to 1 mgd.
The cost to reallocate flood control storage at Hulah Lake would be approximately $42.5 million for an additional 10 mgd of water. This cost also includes the construction of additional pipeline, which would not necessarily be required immediately. The cost for reallocation without the pipeline is an estimated $12.5 million.
For context, average water use in Bartlesville is 5.5 mgd with peak usage in the summer between 8-12 mgd. An additional 12 mgd would easily meet local water needs well into the future, Lauritsen said.
“With the steps we’ve taken over the past 20-plus years, which include changing the rate structure, adjusting how we use our water sources, implementing the Water Shortage Ordinance, purchasing additional water rights at Copan Lake, and building the water reuse system, our current supply would meet area needs for the next 25 years during drought conditions similar to those experienced last year,” Lauritsen said. “But an additional 12 mgd in water rights would ensure that we can meet those needs for the next hundred years, and that’s certainly the optimal place to be.”
Legislators help pave way for more rights at Copan Lake
The cost to purchase additional water rights at Copan Lake through the Town of Copan had been cost prohibitive in the past — a whopping $11 million for 2 mgd. But that may be changing very soon, Lauritsen said.
“Thanks to assistance from our Oklahoma legislators, language was included in the 2024 WRDA (Water Resources Development Act) Bill that will permit the City of Bartlesville to purchase the rights at Copan Lake for approximately $520,000 rather than the $11 million it would have cost us previously,” said Lauritsen. “We have been working for years to accomplish this, so this is a major win for Bartlesville and the surrounding area. We are extremely grateful to our elected representatives for all the work they’ve done on our behalf.”
The legislation passed through the House of Representatives earlier in December and now heads to President Biden, who is expected to sign it today. (Look for updates on this story soon.)
The Water Resources Committee was created following a severe drought in 2001-02 and was reconvened in 2023, after the area experienced a months-long drought, which was later identified as the second worst drought in recorded history. The committee is tasked with examining ongoing efforts to ensure reliable water supply going into the future and make recommendations to the City Council.
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