Title
CONTRACT K-1617-63: A CONTRACT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, THE NORMAN UTILITIES AUTHORITY, AND CENTRAL OKLAHOMA MASTER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT TO PROVIDE A CITY OF NORMAN WATER SUPPLY EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2017.
Body
BACKGROUND: The reservoir that is today called Lake Thunderbird was initially conceptualized in 1946, after the City of Norman asked the United States Bureau of Reclamation (Bureau) to conduct a surface water study of the Little River Basin as a result of water supply problems the City was experiencing. In response to this request, the Bureau conducted studies of reservoir sites on the Little River beginning in 1949. In 1952, the Bureau issued a tentative plan for the Little River Basin, encouraging construction of several reservoirs in the basin. Economic studies showed that the plan was not economically justified. A revised plan calling for the construction of one large reservoir was introduced in 1954. This revised plan (the Norman Project) was determined to be economically feasible and Norman Reservoir was determined to be the key feature in the overall plan.
During the study, it was determined that Norman was not the only municipality with water supply problems. Midwest City, Del City, Moore, and Tinker Air Force Base were experiencing similar water shortfalls. It was determined by the Bureau that the proposed reservoir could meet the needs of these municipalities as well. Construction of the Norman Dam began in the summer of 1962. Construction of the Norman, Midwest City, and Del City pipelines began in September, 1963, with construction of the reservoir and relift pumping plants following shortly thereafter. Construction was essentially complete by March 1965.
Statutorily the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) is charged with allocating the State's water resources. The Central Oklahoma Master Conservancy District (COMCD) contracted with the Bureau for repayment of the reimbursable costs of construction ...
Click here for full text