City Officials Urge Caution Along Oklahoma River, Other Trails

Cyclists and runners using the Oklahoma River trails and the City's other multi-purpose trails may see some recent changes, thanks to Mother Nature.

The storms that swept through the Oklahoma City metro from May 6 - 10 caused river waters to rise, leaving significant damage in their wake. Several portions of the Oklahoma River Trails, as well as other low-lying areas, are covered in mud and debris.

With total rainfalls from the four-day storm event reaching more than 8 inches in some parts of the city, officials estimate that the Oklahoma River rose more than 3 feet over its normal depth.

“Right now we are seeing a great deal of sand, silt and tree branches, as is typical during a flood,” said Douglas R. Kupper, Parks & Recreation director. According to staff reports, the trails are covered with more than an inch of mud in some areas, leaving them almost impassable.

The Parks and Recreation Department has deployed crews to clear the trails, but with the amount of debris on the ground, and more rain on the way, the project may take some weeks.

“Our first priority is always citizen safety,” Kupper said. “We understand people are anxious to get back on the trails, but we would urge them to be very careful and turn around if they are not comfortable going through certain areas. We also ask for patience as our crews work to remove the mud and debris.”

Trail users may report problem areas by calling the City's Action Center at (405) 297-2535 or emailing at action.center@okc.gov