GRDA Lake Permit

GRDA LAKE PERMITS

Call the GRDA Office of Ecosystems Management, 918-782-3382 x3352, for the lake permit applications listed below or click on the application link to download a printable PDF version. Mail all completed forms to:
GRDA Office of Ecosystems Management,
PO Box 70, Langley, OK 74350
or drop it off at the Lake Patrol office at Pensacola Dam.

The following lake permit applications require Adobe Acrobat Reader to be viewed. Download a free reader.

FLOTATION: Beginning July 1, 2006, no non-encapsulated white styrofoam may be used to replace flotation material unless a waiver is obtained prior to construction.

ALL TREE CUTTING AND SHORELINE CLEARING has been temporarily suspended until final approval of the Shoreline Management Plan.

Before You Take Water ... So, you have lake front property and would like to use lake water to irrigate your garden, lawn, pasture, or even to use in your house. That's fine; GRDA allows this, but only after you have completed the following procedure. Remember, if you are taking water from Grand, Hudson or Fort Gibson lakes, or one of their tributaries, this procedure affects you.

Application for domestic water permit
Application for irrigation water permit (Mail this permit to: GRDA's Legal Department, PO Box 409, Vinita, OK 74301)

There are two different water permits. If you want to use water for lawn, garden or household and plan to take less then 150,000 gallons annually, get a domestic water permit application. If you are irrigating land for crops or pastures, get an irrigation water permit application. If neither of these criteria match you and you want the water for commercial purposes, contact GRDA's Legal Department at 918-256-5545.

After you have completed the Domestic Water Permit application, return it, along with an application fee of $100 (there will also be an annual renewal fee of $50). If GRDA has any further questions, you will be contacted before the permit is issued.

After you have completed the Irrigation Water Permit application, return it, along with an application fee of $100. Current yearly fees for irrigation water permit are $4.00/acre foot for Grand Lake and $3.00/acre foot for Lake Hudson. If GRDA has any further questions, you will be contacted before the permit is issued.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) requires GRDA to keep track of how many people take water from GRDA' controlled waters. The application fee of $100 covers the expenses for administering this requirement.

If you change your name, mailing address, stop taking water or sell your property, please notify the Legal Department.

Before You Install a Breakwater
Fill out the application completely. Provide all the information that is requested, including measurements of the structure, how far it extends across the cove, and how it is constructed. Please mail a drawing on 8½" X 11" paper with application.

Application for installing a breakwater

Breakwaters must be built of steel pipe or channel iron with foam flotation consisting of units joined by a set of cables or chain. Breakwaters made with tires are no longer allowed. Breakwaters will need to be permanently anchored, properly lit, and inspected every year by the Lake Patrol. A certificate of insurance showing that you have general liability coverage of at least $100,000 on the structure will be required upon installation.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and GRDA monitor the number of structures, including breakwaters, on the lakes. Why? Because they are concerned with maintaining public access and protecting the environmental/recreational qualities of the shoreline and water.

Before You Dredge ... You must allow yourself plenty of time. Even though the weather is warm, the lake level is down and the contractor is set to go, it's important that you have completed the following procedure.

Application for permit to dredge

There are two, one for GRDA, one for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers). Complete the applications, providing as much information as possible concerning area and size of your dredging plans. Also include 8½" X 11" drawings and a $500 application fee.

Be patient and wait: GRDA or the Corps may have further questions for you. Obtaining Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approval of your dredging project may take a year or more. When GRDA says so, you can start dredging.

Grand River Dam Authority dams and lakes are licensed by The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) under the Federal Power Act. These licenses require that all dredging be approved by FERC, and GRDA is responsible for compliance with this requirement. Also, the Corps administers Section 404 of the Clean Water Act on all waters in the U.S. This federal law prohibits discharge of dredged or fill materials into U.S. waters without a permit from the Corps. And, finally, the Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), the Oklahoma Archeological Survey (OAS) and your county flood plain administrator must be informed about dredging prior to its start so that they can protect any historic sites and prehistoric artifacts that may be hidden in the area to be dredged.

Call the GRDA Office of Ecosystems Management
918-782-3382 x3352 or the Corps Regulatory Branch: 918-669-7401.

Before You Hold An Event ... Whether you are planning a regatta, fishing tournament, boat race, jackpot fishing, boat show or any other event on either Grand or Hudson lakes, it's important that you have completed the following procedure before you advertise the event.

Application for Fishing Tournament

Application for special event

Call the GRDA Lake Patrol Office, and request the fishing tournament application for permit for a fishing tournament, or a special events application for all other special events. When you call, they will ask you who is sponsoring the event, whether it is an individual, a club, a marina or a charity, and if the event is sponsored by a club, is the event open to the public. Complete the application, providing as much information as possible, concerning the type of event, dates, location, and expected number of participants. After you have completed the application, mail it, along with the appropriate application fee (Fee Schedule).

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and GRDA monitor what kind and how many different events are held on the GRDA-controlled waters each year. Why? Because they are concerned with maintaining public access and protecting the recreational/environmental qualities of the lakes for everyone.

Hazardous tree cutting is permitted only upon completion and approval of the following form.

Application for Hazardous Tree Cutting

License to Encroach ... A license to encroach must be obtained for improvements built prior to June 1, 2005 upon property owned by GRDA.

TITLE 300. GRAND RIVER DAM AUTHORITY
CHAPTER 25. LICENSE TO ENCROACH

Application for License to Encroach Upon Lands Owned by GRDA