Leaking Water At Lake Waxhoma Dam Continues As Barnsdall Searches For Permanent Fix

Water is still pouring out of a break in the Lake Waxoma dam Sunday after a temporary repair broke loose.

The break turned a roadway just beneath the dam's spillway into a river as crews work around the clock to pump water out of the lake in anticipation of rain showers Monday.

Barnsdall mayor Johnny Kelley said every gallon crews get out makes a difference.

"The more water we get out of there, the less pressure is on that dam," Kelley said.

Kelley is worried about rainwater filling up Lake Waxoma, which would add stress on an already strained dam.

The dam has been leaking for over a week due to a gash near the spillway.

Workers put on a patch meant to help hold the dam together, but Kelley said it was only meant to be a temporary fix. The patch broke loose Saturday morning.

Since then, huge pumps have been brought in to take pressure off the dam, but that still leaves pressure on Kelley and repair crews to find a permanent fix.

It's a familiar problem for Lake Waxoma.

"This same thing happened in the (19)80's," Kelley said.

Kelley said fixing a dam is very complicated, and the new break in the 40-year-old patch shows how important finding the right fix must be.

Kelley plans to meet with engineers and experts next week to find a permanent answer.

"I don't see this ever totally letting go, but you know, I still have to think that and take it into consideration," Kelley said. "With our community, as well as the people downstream, I don't want anything bad to happen to them either. We have to fix the problem. We have to come up with a solution."

According to Kelley, the city will likely have to receive federal or state funding to help pay for the costly repairs.