While there are signs of progress at Canton Lake, the first phase of improvements is about a year away from completion.
A 7-year long, multi-phase, multi-million dollar construction project, initiated by the Tulsa District Corps of Engineers, began at the lake in 2008.
“We’re about a year into the first of four phases of the construction. We’re pretty close to being on time and about where we need to be,” said Resident Engineer Jerry Grosz.
Extensive dam safety studies conducted over several years have revealed that Canton Lake Dam needs to be upgraded in order to continue to provide reliable flood protection.
As part of the dam upgrade, damage will be repaired that was caused over the years and by floods in 2007.
There will also be a number of upgrades made to other areas of the lake.
In addition to improving the main office, campgrounds, roads, parking lots, shoreline and boat ramps, the primary emphasis of the construction is on a new spillway that is being built.
The new auxiliary fuse-gated spillway and channel will be constructed south of the existing spillway between the overlook area and the project office.
The new spillway will allow for more water to be released in the event of a maximum flood. The old spillway will remain intact and continue to function as well.
A highway bridge will be constructed across the new 480-foot wide channel, maintaining State Highway 58A access across Canton Dam.
Visitors can expect various detours around the area. To find out more about these detours, contact the lake office at (580) 886-2989.
Although most of the camping and recreational areas will continue to be open, the Big Bend and Blaine Park camping areas were closed as of Oct. 1. The two areas are expected to remain closed until April 1, 2010.
However, Park Ranger Tim Coffey said "there will be plenty of room for anyone who would like to camp."
"The Canadian campground will leave both A and B areas open during the month of October to accommodate campers. Most years, the B area in Canadian is closed as of Oct. 1 to save on operating cost during the slower fall recreation season,” he said.
Even though fall is a slower season, Coffey noted that “deer archery season opened Oct. 1 and we do have some hunters that camp in our campgrounds who are out here for the hunting area that surrounds us.”
Canton Lake offers various outdoor recreational activities for the entire family. Every year people enjoy hunting, fishing, boating, swimming, camping and much more that the lake offers.
Known for its fishing, Canton Lake provides several species of fish, including crappie, white bass, hybrid bass, channel catfish, and largemouth bass. Canton is most widely known for an abundance of walleye and hosts annual “Walleye Rodeo” during the month of May.
Oklahomans have enjoyed the park for generations and with the new improvements its popularity will be sure to endure.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is working on other improvement projects at several lakes in the Tulsa District, which encompasses all of Oklahoma, the southern half of Kansas, as well as Lake Texoma and Pat Mayse Lake in Texas.
Before visiting one of your favorite lakes, they suggest you call ahead, or check the Tulsa District website, www.swt.usace.army.mil, for updates on camping locations.
