Enid discusses ways to ready city for future water shortage
New lake, more wells are among solutions being considered.
Water shortage fears have Enid leaders preparing for future

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By Sheila Stogsdill

Published: August 17, 2008

ENID — With results of a long-range study showing Enid could be out of water in 35 to 40 years, the topic of building a lake is surfacing again.

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City Manager Eric Benson said officials are looking at several ideas. A lake, including a treatment plant, could cost up to $250 million, Mayor John Criner said.

"This was just a first blush,” Benson said, referring to the possibility of building a lake. "We are not looking at building a lake. We are looking at solving a problem.”

Questions of the lake's size and location can't be answered now, he said.

In 2007, the city commissioned a three-part master water study to evaluate the city's current water capability and its future needs, Benson said. The study evaluated the city's water quality, water quantity and costs associated with implementing a change, he said.

The first two parts of the $180,000 water study were completed in February and July, he said. Benson said the study showed the city could run out of water in 35 to 40 years.

The third phase of the water study, which should be done by the end of the year, is focusing on water rates, Benson said.

The city gets its water now from a series of 145 wells, Benson said. On average, the city uses 9 million gallons of water a day and at peak times between 14 million and 15 million gallons of water a day, he said.

Looking ahead

In 50 years, the population of Enid is expected to rise to 66,000, and daily water usage could approach 25 million gallons, Benson said.

Other options the city will consider include expanding the well field and installing a pipeline from an existing water source.

About $250 million would be needed to build a lake and a water treatment plant, he said.

"Those (water) sources are being depleted,” Criner said. "A lake would replenish our water supply and provide boating activities.”

Garfield and Grant counties are the only counties in Oklahoma without a lake, he said.

Environmental engineer Carolyn Nicholas presented a plan to the Enid City Commission for a proposed lake. Her proposal included two possible sites, Boggy Creek in southeastern Garfield County or at the junction of Black Bear and Crow creeks near Covington.

Plans aired in 1993 to build a 600-acre fishing lake were scrapped due to its high cost. The city lost the water rights to Kaw Lake after failing to implement a plan, Criner said.

To help plan for the future, the city passed a $7 million bond issue.

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