Wichita Lake Study Commission Minutes - 09/10/2013RECEI
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE M I N U T E S
DATE: .r��' y 77�1� LAKE WICHITA STUDY COMMITTEE
BY: _TIME: Z�'`' - September 10, 2013
MEMBERS PRESENT: ■ Members
Stephen Garner, Chairman
Clayton Lane, Vice Chair
Penny Miller, Secretary
Nic Brissette
Michael Chapman
Nancy Heath Howell
Larry Scott
Jennifer Simmons
Robert Mauk (representing Tom Lang, Ex -Officio)
Jack Murphy, Director of Parks and Recreation ■ Staff
Miles Risley, City Attorney
Davis Powell, City Engineer
Pat Hoffman, Property Administrator
Leo Mantey (representing Monique Coleman)
Councilor Brian Hooker ■ Council Liaison
Pete Gill, Lakeside City Homeowner's Group ■ Guests
Mike Skyberg
Poney Thompson
ABSENT: ■ Members
Sam Bownds
I. Call to Order and Introductions
Steve Garner called the meeting to order and all members, staff and guests introduced
themselves.
II. Approval of Minutes
Larry Scott moved the minutes of the August 13 minutes be approved. Clayton Lane
seconded. Minutes were approved.
III. Meeting with the Corps of Engineers
Steve Garner reported on a meeting with the Corps of Engineers that took place with two
members of the Tulsa office and various members of the committee and city staff at the
Lake Wichita dam.
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September 10, 2013 Page 1
The Corps representatives were very supportive and willing to look at the project for
permitting. There are several permits that may be needed for the project—which permit
depends upon the work desired. They recommended pursuing the most comprehensive
permit, even if all of the projects cannot be undertaken immediately. This would prevent
reapplying for additional permits later.
Since the meeting, the Corps sent information on the permitting process the Steve Garner.
He forwarded that information to the City.
IV. Subcommittee Reports
No subcommittees met since the last meeting.
V. Water Quality and Quantity
A key question concerns the amount and quality of water for the lake. Steve Garner took a
tour with a landowner to look at an underground spring which fed the creek and stock
tanks to the west of Lake Wichita.
Nic Brissette made a presentation about groundwater as a possible source of water to
keep the lake full. He discussed "sand bodies," which indicate underground water. Wichita
County is rich in sands, especially along the Wichita/Archer county line. He suggested
drilling deep enough to get out of the Permian red beds and into the Pennsylvania,
because there are fewer salts. The quality and quantity of water available can't be known
without boring a test well. He presented an estimate from Gunn Oil Company for drilling a
test well. If the well inadvertently hit oil, a portion of the production would have to go to the
mineral rights owner. It is possible the well could be drilled in the lake bed itself; this would
require study.
Miles Risley stated that the lake is not in a groundwater conservation district, so the rule of
capture applies. The City does not have fee simple rights to the entire lake. The City has
fee simple rights on the east side of the lake. On the west side the City has only flowage
easement/inundation rights. However, the cost of the land is minor compared to the cost of
the well.
Lake Wichita can evaporate 13 million gallons/day. This is not a constant rate of
evaporation—it would vary based upon weather. To keep up with evaporation would
require an inflow (whether rain or groundwater) of 9,000 gallons/minute.
Salinity of the water is a concern for fishing use of the lake.
VI. Other Items.
The committee members reviewed several maps of the lake.
Holliday creek is the main source of water flow into the lake, although Panther
creek and Pecan creek also contribute. All of the feeder creeks are overgrown,
affecting the flow of water.
• A lot of development, to include the building of many stock tanks has affected
runoff.
• Clean up of the tributaries is necessary to get water to flow. One inch of rain (a
good rain for our area) fills the stock tanks but doesn't permit run off.
LAKE WICHITA COMMITTEE September 10, 2013
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A depth contour map of the lake reveals the lake is deepest at 10 ft. This may not
reflect siltation. Boring notations for the 1991 study by Briggs and Matthews were
included.
A contour map showed that 1/3 to'/z of the original depth of the lake has been
silted in.
Penny Miller mentioned feedback on a question posted by Newschannel 6 on Facebook.
She will email those comments to the other committee members. There were 67
comments—most were to dredge the lake.
Other members shared comments they have received from the public. Steve Garner has
shared comments received by email from various individuals.
The Committee developed questions for a public poll to be placed on the website.
Mr. Skyberg, a guest, commented that he had concern about the private property rights of
landowners around the lake, especially in respect to the hike and bike trail.
Nic Brissette asked if the City received any oil and gas tax dollars. Miles Risley/Davis
Powell said the City doesn't receive any dollars from oil and gas other than property
values.
VII. Assignment
The Committee discussed possible areas of the lake for different activities. Steve Garner
asked members to come to the next meeting prepared to discuss where they would like to
see various projects placed.
VIII. Adjournment
eting adjourned at 3:00 P.M.
irperson
Date
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