Illinois River Watershed

Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission August 17, 2010 Regular Business Meeting Agenda‏

8/12/10

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Hello Scenic Rivers Friends,

Listed below is the Agenda for the upcoming Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission August 17, 2010 Regular Business Meeting.

Please know several recipients on our electronic mailing list will occasionally report back to us that their Email Server distorted the format or omitted portions of the OSRC electronic mailings. In the event you experience a likened problem, a copy of the Agenda has been attached in "Word" Format.

Additionally, if you do not wish to receive OSRC electronic mailings, please advise me ated.fite@oklahomascenicrivers.net to have your name/electronic address removed from the OSRC mailing list.

Sincerely,

Ed Fite

Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission

Office (918) 456-3251

Email: ed.fite@oklahomascenicrivers.net

Website: www.oklahomascenicrivers.net

MEETING DATE: Tuesday, August 17, 2010

MEETING TIME: 5:30 p.m.

MEETING PLACE: Tahlequah Armory Municipal Center

100 North Water Street, Tahlequah, Oklahoma 74464

OKLAHOMA SCENIC RIVERS COMMISSION

REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA

01. Meeting Called to Order.

02. Flag Salute/Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation.

03. Welcome and Loyalty of Oath to Jeff Bashaw, new OSRC Commissioner appointed by Representative Chris Benge, Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives on July 19, 2010.

04. Roll Call.

05. Introduction of Guests and Visitors.

06. Comments from Guests and Visitors.

This item is included within the agenda to allow time for public comment to the OSRC Board of Commissioners. Comments are limited to three minutes per speaker. This agenda item allows NO ACTION may be taken by Commissioners.

07. Consideration, vote to approve, amend or take other action approving the Minutes of April 20, 2010 OSRC Regular Business Meeting.

08. Consideration, vote to approve, amend or take other action approving OSRC FY-2011 Budget (period July 01, 2010 thru June 30, 2011).

09. Discussion of 0.037mg/L Phosphorus Water Quality Standard for Oklahoma Scenic Rivers requested by Commissioner Rick Stubblefield.

10. River Ranger Division Report.

11. Administrator’s Report.

12. New Business.

Under the Open Meeting Act, this agenda item is authorized only for matters not known about or which could not have been reasonably foreseen prior to the time of the posting of the agenda or any revised agenda.

13. Adjournment.

Dates to Remember:

October 16, 2010……………….. OSRC Illinois RiverFest 2010

October 19, 2010 ………………..OSRC Regular Business Meeting

December 21, 2010 ……………..OSRC Regular Business Meeting

All interested individuals who have a disability or need special assistance in attending the meeting should call 918-456-3251. The OSRC will provide reasonable accommodations to ensure that all individuals have the opportunity to participate in the meeting.

This agenda was posted to the public and emailed to all individuals and organizations listed on the OSRC electronic mailing list at 5:00pm on Thursday, August 12, 2010.

The public may access OSRC agendas, past minutes and other documents by visiting the OSRC Website at: www.oklahomascenicrivers.net.

Comments may be directed to Ed Fite, Administrator by phone at (918) 456-3251 and/or Email ed.fite@oklahomascenicrivers.n

OKLAHOMA SCENIC RIVERS COMMISSION

ILLINOIS RIVER BASIN CONDITIONS

AUGUST 6, 7 and 8, 2010 WEEKEND FORECAST

The Weather Forecast calls for temperatures to fall into the mid-90’s by this weekend. Given that skies will be overcast to partly cloudy with temperatures within seasonal norm’s and that water levels and flows will be slightly above historic conditions for this time period of the year, this weekend should shape up to be a great weekend for families wanting to take that last float trip before area schools resume this next week.

Current Conditions as of 9:00AM Wednesday, August 4, 2010:

Illinois River

Water Temperature is 69.26º F

Savoy / ARK Hwy Bridge – Level 2.82ft and discharge 42 cubic feet per second (cfs). Level Slowly Falling

ARK Hwy 16 Bridge – Level 5.61ft and discharge 264cfs. Level Slowly Falling

ARK Hwy 59 Bridge – Level 3.04ft and discharge 187cfs. Level Steady

Watts / US Hwy 59 Bridge – Level 2.37ft and discharge 264cfs. Level Steady

Based on 54 years of record, average water level should be 1.88ft and discharge 175 cubic feet per second on this date at Watts/US Hwy 59 Bridge Gaging Station.

Chewey Bridge – 4.62ft and discharge 301cfs. Level Steady

Tahlequah / US Hwy 62 Bridge – Level 2.90ft and discharge 389cfs. Level Steady Based on 74 years of record, average water level should be 2.60ft and discharge 225 cubic feet per second on this date at Tahlequah / US Hwy 62 Bridge Gaging Station.

Cubic Feet per Second (cfs) = 450 X cfs = gallons per minute flowing by a given point (place such as a bridge). Example, if Tahlequah Gage on the Illinois River is 389cfs today at 9:00AM, then 450 X 389 = 175,050 gallons is flowing by the Tahlequah Gage every one minute.

Barren Fork Creek

Dutch Mills / ARK Hwy 59 Bridge – Level 1.26ft and discharge 8.50cfs. Level Steady

Eldon / OK Hwy 51 Bridge – Level 5.36ft and discharge 82cfs. Level Steady

Based on 61 years of record, average water level should be 5.30ft and discharge 52 cubic feet per second on this date at Eldon / OK Hwy 51 Bridge Gaging Station.

Flint Creek

Sager Creek (upstream of US Hwy 412 Bridge and west of West of Siloam Springs, OK) – Level 4.44ft and discharge 10.27cfs. Level Steady

Flint Creek Springtown, AR – 3.56ft and 4.14cfs. Level Steady

US Hwy 412 Bridge (East of Kansas, OK) – Level 6.17ft and discharge 49cfs. Level Steady

Based on 50 years of record, average water level should be 6.10ft and discharge 33 cubic feet per second on this date at US Hwy 412 Bridge Gaging Station.

Estimated Weekend Water Levels:

Illinois River at Watts (US 59 Bridge- Watts, OK - Adair County)

Friday August 6^th 7AM – 2.30ft

Saturday August 7^th 7AM – 2.30ft

Sunday August 8^th 7AM – 2.30ft

Illinois River at Tahlequah (US 62 Bridge- Tahlequah, OK - Cherokee County)

Friday August 6^th 7AM – 2.80ft

Saturday August 7^th 7AM – 2.80ft

Sunday August 8^th 7AM – 2.80ft

Flint Creek at Kansas (US 412 Bridge- Kansas, OK - Delaware County)

Friday August 6^th 7AM – 6.10ft

Saturday August 7^th 7AM – 6.10ft

Sunday August 8^th 7AM – 6.10ft

Barren Fork Creek (SH 51 Bridge – Eldon, OK – Cherokee County)

Friday August 6^th 7AM – 5.30ft

Saturday August 7^th 7AM – 5.30ft

Sunday August 8^th 7AM – 5.30ft

The National Weather Service-Tulsa Office is forecasting for the Illinois River Basin this Weekend:

Friday, August 6^th High 94ºF and Low 74ºF , Partly Cloudy with 40% Chance of Thunderstorms and light winds out of the Northeast at 5mph. UV 7;
Saturday, August 7^th High 94ºF and Low 76ºF, Partly Cloudy with winds out of the Southeast 5-10mph. UV 8; and,
Sunday, August 8^th High 97ºF and Low 74ºF, Partly Cloudy with winds out of the South at 5-10mph. UV 9.

It is recommended that first-time and novice floaters should only float when accompanied by knowledgeable and experienced floaters.

Oklahoma Law requires children under the age 13 years of age must wear a Lifejacket (aka: PFD/personal flotation device) at all times while floating.

Always exercise caution when floating and swimming by wearing a LIFEJACKET (aka: PFD/Personal Flotation Device) at all times while floating, swimming or wading.

Floaters should be aware that fallen trees and other debris in the river will present navigational hazards.

Before setting out on any float trip, please consult the Commercial Flotation Device Operation you plan to use as your rental livery for the most up-to-date river conditions and recommendations. Also, be sure to log-on to Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission Website: www.oklahomascenicrivers.net and click on the “48-Hour Recreational Forecast” icon to view an interactive river map that changes colors with elevated river levels and matrix of recommendations at the certain levels.

Other considerations for a safe float trip:

Be sure to inform the commercial flotation device operation if you or anyone in your party are a first-time or novice floater(s) so that they may pair you with an experienced paddler/floater or float you in a raft so there is a lesser chance for capsizing;
Wear a personal flotation device at all times;
Never swim or boat alone. Stay within sight of companions;
Do not float when river levels and discharge flows are higher than normal or at flood stage;
If you capsize, stay with your flotation device on the upstream side. Resist the urge to grab a fixed object don't get pinned between the flotation device and a rock or tree;
When tired, take a break on a gravel bar to relax;
Take a shorter length float trip (especially in rafts and inner tubes) when river levels are at Summer-time lows and winds are out of the South greater than 10mph;
Do not dive into the river from bridges, bluffs, streambanks and trees;
Do not swing on rope swings and jump into the water as there may be submerged logs and tree branches that could cause bodily harm;
Be sure to bring sunglasses, extra cover up clothing, hat and suntan lotion. The sun reflecting off the water will give a person without sunglasses a headache and the extra clothing gives an opportunity not to sunburn;
Be sure to take water, tea, Gatorade, other thirst-quenching drinks and peanut butter crackers or similar snacks. Try to avoid beer and soda pops as they tend to dehydrate the body and alcohol impairs judgment;
Be sure to wear river wading shoes to ensure no cuts to your feet;
Never take anything on your float trip that you don't want to lose. Check your car keys with the commercial flotation device operation for safe keeping;
Respect the rights of fishermen and private property owners;
Camp only in designated areas. Avoid being trapped by rising water against bluffs or on gravel bars;
Do not tie flotation devices together as it against the law and violators are subject to fine;
Do not use profanity;
Do not use glass and Styrofoam containers;
Do not litter;
Shower with soap and water after swimming;
Wash cuts and scrapes with clean water and soap after swimming;
Wear ear plugs;
Wear swim goggles;
Take children to the restroom frequently;
Use swim diapers on infants;
Stay away from any area that has floating debris, oil sheens or dead fish;
Do not swim after a heavy rain;
Do not swim in water with a temperature greater than 80ºF;
Do not swim if you have cuts or scrapes;
Do not swim near storm drains;
Do not swim in stagnant (unmoving) water;
Do not swim in water with a green surface scum; and,
Do not ingest water.

Always Pack Out What You Pack In

Be Sure To Recycle and Dispose of Your Trash Properly

Trash bags are available to campers and floaters “free-of-charge” from Commercial Flotation Device Operations, River Rangers and Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission Headquarters Building.

For questions or additional information, feel free to contact us at the below information.

"Float and swim smart from the start by wearing a Lifejacket (aka: PFD/personal flotation device) at all times while floating, swimming or wading"

Thank you,

Ed Fite, Administrator

Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission

PO Box 292

Tahlequah, OK 74465-0292

Office (918) 456-3251

Fax (918) 456-8466

Email: ed.fite@oklahomascenicrivers.net

Website: www.oklahomascenicrivers.net

(08042010)