Safety Guidelines Emphasized As Zink Lake Welcomes Visitors On Opening Day

Tulsa's new Zink Lake and Wave Park is opening today for people looking to spend some time on the water. Everything from kayaking and canoeing to surfing and tube floating will be available.

Tulsa's River Parks Authority anticipates thousands of people will show up for the Big Dam Party to kick off the lake's opening.

The new lake can also be used for rowing, fishing, and stand-up paddleboarding. 

The whitewater flume, also known as Tulsa Wave Park, has seven play zones where people can kayak, surf, or tube float. Experts said the play zones vary in intensity and skill level, with zone 1 being the most challenging.

Jeff Edwards, executive director of the River Parks Authority, said it's important for people to be aware of their comfort levels while on the water. He encourages everyone to have their own flotation device and even head gear.

You can also rent life jackets along with paddles and kayaks at Zink Lake. Edwards said the most important thing is for people to keep an eye on each other.

"Be a good set of eyes and ears for those folks around you. When you tend to have this many people kind of grouped up in one place, we can all be each other’s best friend and just keep a good watch out for each other and make sure we have a good safe weekend," Edwards said.

Edwards also said that while the lake contains a dam, it's still part of an active river, and water levels can change. He said it's important to be aware of current conditions before getting in the water.

Zink Lake Water Quality Dashboard

"Just take note of tulsazinklake.com and our water conditions dashboard, in which you can go and look at the data regarding river flow, lake levels, and then look at what that activity may look like for the day before you even come visit the site. I highly encourage folks to come use those resources," Edwards said.

Both Zink Lake and Tulsa Wave Park will open after 4 p.m. today following the opening ceremony and ribbon cutting. Keep in mind that Zink Lake is a no-swimming or wading lake. You also can't use any boats or watercraft with combustion engines.