Zink Dam Construction Update

Construction crews are making good progress along the Zink Dam in front of Gathering Place to create a unique place for people to enjoy.

“It’s one of those kinds of feats of engineering you just wonder how on Earth they do it really. How do you block a river off and you know kind of move it across and take the bridge down," said Rob Adams.

Adams is originally from London and now lives in Tulsa. He's been checking out the progress of the project every day along the Riverside Trail. “The other benefit we’re putting in these large gates and those can lay down and wash sediment and such out so we’re not getting the shallow water behind the dam," said Brooke Caviness.

Caviness is Tulsa's Lead Engineer for Storm Water Design and said the current work on the dam on the west side is mostly for safety. She said everything has a purpose, even a large group of boulders, which will serve as a barrier across the river in the rapids. “We have gates specific to the flume that will open and allow the water to come through. People can’t get out on the other side, but at the very end of it we’ll have a take out pool and that’s where the water will slow down and kind of circulate and there’s going to be a beach so people can get out on that side safely," said Caviness.

The renderings show the rapids will be as long as the Arkansas River is wide. Caviness said specifics are still being worked out by the parks department, but the plan is for people to enjoy surfing, tubing, and kayaking along the rapids.

While Adams said he'll pass on the rapids, he is looking forward to the new pedestrian bridge. “It’s going to be nice. It’s only going to add to how great this place is. In all weathers you see everybody down here all the time. I would be lost without it. You can run for miles and I do," said Adams.

Caviness said they're hoping to finish the work on the west side of the river by March. Then they'll begin work on the east side with the rapids.