Corps spokesman Brannen Parrish says many Army Corps of Engineers Campgrounds are closed and it may take weeks before they’re open. He says no repairs can happen until the water has been drained from the river system.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Tulsa district is looking to drain water after a severe flood left hundreds of homes and businesses damaged in Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas and Illinois.

Reservoirs that are well into their available flood pool levels include Grand Lake, Hudson and Fort Gibson. The Arkansas River, which flows through Tulsa, remains somewhat low, and Keystone Lake is being held back to allow systems downstream to release flood waters.

Ken Weiner, chief ranger at Tenkiller State Park, estimates that marinas around Keystone Lake will be ready by the end of the month.

Army Corps of Engineers Campgrounds

The Corps of Engineers campgrounds fee program was established under the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965, supplemented by Public Law 92-347, and amended by Public Law 93-81, Public Law 93-303, and Public Law 103-66. The law provides for the charging of special recreation use fees at designated Federal recreation areas. Fees will be charged by the Tulsa District Corps of Engineers in three categories of camping areas.

• Class A campgrounds are those having flush restrooms, showers, paved roads, sanitary disposal stations, designated tent or trailer spaces, refuse containers, and potable water.
• Class B areas have similar facilities with the exception that flush toilets, showers, or dump stations may not be provided. 
• Class C areas are those having basic sanitary facilities, designated tent or trailer spaces, refuse containers, and potable water.

There are different charges for overnight camping for each class of park. Parties who have paid a camping fee are exempt from any additional charges for day use activities. Group camping fees are based on the facilities available within the group site. There is a small additional charge for sites with direct water or sewer hookups, or those sites which are designated as prime sites.

Holders of the national passes “Golden Age Passport” or “Golden Access Passport“ or the newer America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Program’s “Senior Pass” or “Access Pass” receive 50% discounts on camping fees at Army Corps of Engineers Campgrounds.

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