BARTLESVILLE, Okla. — After being closed all summer due to drought conditions north of the city where its water supply comes from, water parks are now open and conservation restrictions for water use are now lifted in Bartlesville.
2 News last showed Bartlesville's water reserves at their lowest levels in more than three decades on July 4.
But the rain that has come since then has been a welcomed surprise to City Manager Mike Bailey.
"Hulah and Copan are very unusual lakes. They have very small drainage basins but they have what they call very fast recharge rates," Bailey said. "So if you can get enough rain in those basins just like this (it will fill them)."
Hulah Lake is responsible for a big chunk of the city's supply. Just a couple weeks ago it was at a dangerous 43%, enough to trigger a Level 3 water restriction.
As of Monday's rains, it sits at a comfortable 100 percent.
This means no more restrictions.
"We are still asking for (voluntary) conservation, but we are certainly optimistic. We're in much better shape than we were on Friday," Bailey said.
Unfortunately for those wanting to enjoy a swim nearby, the damage is already done. Bailey said the Kane YMCA which provides lifeguards for city pools, won't be able to staff them. Pools at Sooner and Frontier Parks, for example, will remain closed through the remainder of the summer.
Bailey mentioned one alternative.
"There's a partnership. The YMCA operates one of the state pools at Osage Hill State Park and we've partnered with CityRide. They're gonna offer some shuttle service to and from Bartlesville to the pool for us," he said.
Local splash pads like the one at Johnstone Park though are now open, much to the delight of Crissy Harris and her three kids.
"That's all they talk about, Harris said of her young kids soaking in the splash pad fun.
"All they wanna do is play in the water or go swimming. And when it's hot I mean, what are you supposed to do? (We'll come) probably every day, as long as it doesn't shut down again."
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