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Plans Underway for Opening of Zink Lake, Williams Crossing on Labor Day Weekend 2024

1/31/2024
This article was archived on 2/29/2024
Zink Lake, a 2.5-mile recreational attraction located next to Gathering Place, will open on Labor Day Weekend 2024 alongside Tulsa’s new pedestrian bridge, Williams Crossing.
 
Zink Lake is the product of the $48 million, voter-approved Vision Tulsa Zink Dam project.
 
Public Engagement Opportunities
A public meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 27 at ONEOK Boathouse at Gathering Place, 2900 S. John Williams Way E. At the meeting, Tulsans will get a better look at initial plans and receive an opportunity for public comment.  
 
Following the public meeting, Tulsans will have additional opportunities for engagement as the project approaches implementation. The City’s Design Studio, a section of the Department of City Experience, is ready to take on additional stakeholder meetings, pop-up outreach at community events, and other opportunities later this summer. Neighborhood organizations and others interested in learning more about these opportunities can contact the City’s Urban Strategist, Emma Morris, at emorris@cityoftulsa.org. 
 
Recreational Opportunities & Amenities
A broad array of activities and recreational opportunities are expected to be available at Zink Lake. Anticipated water activities include non-motorized watercraft like kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, pedal boats, etc. A 1,000-foot whitewater flume is located in Zink Lake on the east bank where wave shapers and flume pools will be available for kayakers. Swimming is not an activity anticipated on the lake. Recreational activities can be expected to commence when Zink Lake opens on Labor Day Weekend 2024.
 
Small boat ramps are expected to be located along the east and west banks where users will be able to bring non-motorized watercraft like kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards to the lake. Boat ramps will not have vehicle access. Kayak rental stations are also being planned for the east bank, which could potentially be open when the lake opens on Labor Day Weekend 2024.
 
Additional parking and bathrooms will be available on the east and west banks.
 
Concession opportunities are expected, and when Zink Lake opens along with Williams Crossing, there will be connections to the bridge and the east and west banks through sidewalks and trails. Walkways will offer Zink Lake visitors the opportunity to be right by the water and flume.
 
Fishing is expected to be available from the banks, but not in the flume.
 
Water Quality Plan
City officials have worked for the last six months on identifying water quality testing parameters, protocols and reporting methodologies.
 
The City has contracted A&M Engineering and AquaStrategies to assist in the City’s water quality monitoring program for Zink Lake – the only program of its kind in Oklahoma.
 
Testing protocols are currently being refined for nine different parameters, which include both biological and chemical considerations. Water samples will be taken at five new sites, four of which are in Zink Lake, and another in the Arkansas River closer to the Gilcrease Expressway where the water enters Tulsa.
 
The City has developed and is in the process of refining a water quality dashboard that will live on the City’s website for anyone to view. That dashboard will go live and be publicly communicated before Zink Lake opens. Dashboard information will be smartphone compatible and be readily available via on-site signage. The operator will help develop a process of on-site communication methods (i.e. flagging, signs, lights, etc.).
 
More Information
City leaders will continue to finalize plans and protocols leading up to Labor Day Weekend 2024.
 
For more information about Zink Dam and Zink Lake, in addition to a list of frequently asked questions, visit www.cityoftulsa.org/Zink.  
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