Focused on
EMPLOYEES
The Grand River Dam Authority is comprised of a dedicated workforce of over 600 Oklahomans with the critical skills and expertise needed to meet the GRDA mission. Round-the-clock, they produced and deliver abundant, reliable electricity to our customers while also caring for the important natural resources under GRDA’s control.
GRDA jobs are diverse, ranging from electrical engineering and ecosystems management to financial planning and power line maintenance. While thousands of Oklahomans depend on this workforce to “keep the lights on” this workforce, in turn, depends on GRDA for good jobs, benefits and opportunities.
GRDA payroll dollars are circulated throughout the state’s economy in the communities where our employees live, work and play. Many of those communities are in rural parts of Oklahoma where stable employment is critical to economic health.
In those communities, Team GRDA makes a powerful difference. Off the clock, our employees serve as volunteer firemen, first responders, little league coaches, civic group leaders, school board members and much more. Each week, GRDA employees volunteer hundreds of hours collectively in service to their communities and their Oklahoma neighbors.
Power plants, transmission lines, substations, lake and river management programs and administrative duties are only as successful as the men and women doing the daily work to operate and maintain them. Today, the GRDA workforce remains the utility’s most powerful asset, while contributing to a better Oklahoma for everyone.
Benefits
At the Grand River Dam Authority, we believe in taking care of people. When our employees feel supported, they can do their best work.
Here’s a quick look at some of the benefits you can expect as part of the GRDA Team:
GRDA offers a variety of medical, dental, and vision plans, including HMO, PPO, and high-deductible options. You can choose what fits you and your family best and receive generous financial support to help cover the cost. We also offer disability and life insurance coverage; plus, access to the State of Oklahoma’s Thrive wellness program to help you stay healthy and balanced. GRDA also provides health clinics for flu shots, vaccines and Health and Safety Fairs with free health screenings and hearing, respiratory and pulmonary fit testing available.
Other benefits as a State of Oklahoma employee include assistance programs and a variety of discount opportunities.
GRDA understands the value of work-life balance. Time-off benefits include:
- Paid vacation and sick leave (including time to care for family)
- 11 paid holidays each year
- Employees may fulfill their civic responsibilities of jury duty and military service without loss of pay
Planning for your future is important. GRDA offers a retirement savings plan with employer matching contributions to help you build long-term financial security. Certain positions – like law enforcement – also include pension benefits.
After two years with us, employees receive an annual longevity payment. Authorized by the State of Oklahoma, it provides employees with bonus payments based on years of service.
Our Employee Education Loan Reimbursement Program helps eligible full-time employees pay off student loans—because your growth matters to us.
Additional FAQs
These documents govern how the shoreline around Grand Lake and Lake Hudson will be managed. They can be found under the “Important Documents” tab.
Fishing and hunting licenses can be purchased at Wal-Mart. They can also be purchased online from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
The Kyle Williams Boating Safety Education Act prohibits kids between the ages of 12 and up to 16 years old, without a valid drivers license, from operating any vessel powered by a motor of more than 10 horsepower or a sailing vessel 16-feet or longer without first completing a state approved Boater Safety Course.
They must also have a certificate documenting their completion of the course. Fines for violating this new law range from $50-$500. Our goal is to help you make sure your family is safe while having fun and in compliance with the law.
As a service to recreational boaters on our lakes, GRDA is offering Boater Safety Courses, FREE of charge.
Classes will be held at the GRDA Ecosystems and Education Center located at 420 Highway 28, Langley OK 74350.
Every floating structure on the lake must be permitted by GRDA or be subject to removal. Private dock permits are based upon the calendar year and have an annual permit fee. A new owner MUST transfer the permit for an existing dock by completing a private dock application. A new owner will not receive notifications regarding their dock unless such application is completed and approved by GRDA. The private dock application can be found under the “Resources” tab.
FERC stands for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. FERC issued GRDA a license to operate its hydropower facilities (Pensacola and Kerr dams and the Salina Pumped Storage Project). When the license was issued, it was determined that certain property was needed to operate the hydropower facility. This area is called the Project Boundary. The FERC has jurisdiction over management of lands within the Project Boundary and over project operations such as the lake reservoir levels.
GRDA may allow dredging of its shoreline in certain areas around the lake if no contaminants are present in the area to be dredged and the Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) classification allows for such activity. An Application for Dredging can be found at www.grda.com.
Please submit request for this information to GRDA’s Human Resources Department
by emailing humanresources@grda.com
Please submit request to GRDA Human Resources Department at humanresources@grda.com
Yes, GRDA does offer some internship opportunities in various departments. Please
submit request to GRDA Human Resources Department at humanresources@grda.com
Flood Control
When water levels exceed or are anticipated to exceed 745 feet on Grand Lake, the Corps ofEngineers takes control and determines how much wateris released through the floodgates.Once the level drops to 745 feet, GRDA once again assumes control over releases
There are times when the water must be brought down slowly to not cause any more adverse effects on all the reservoirs downstream that may also be in flood stages. The Corps works to move water as quickly and safely as possible, but when it has been widespread, stretching across the Grand, Verdigris and Greater Arkansas system, into Arkansas and on downstream, there may not be anywhere for the water to go.
GRDA and the Corps do work closely with the National Weather Service, but because a storm system can change paths and/or rainfall amounts may differ greatly than what was predicted, floodgate changes will rarely be made in advance.
In the event of downstream flooding, opening all of the floodgates would not result in a natural flow, but could result in excessive flows in the channels below. Grand Lake is a much larger reservoir than Hudson Lake. A foot drop in Grand puts roughly three feet into Hudson, which may already be at maximum storage.
In the Flood Control Act of 1944, the United States Congress mandated that the Corps of Engineers direct the operations of GRDA’s Pensacola Dam and Robert S. Kerr Dam for flood control. The Corps orders release rates that are consistent with downstream conditions and projected river crests. All the lakes along the Grand River, in the Arkansas River system, are operated to minimize downstream flooding, including Grand Lake, Lake Hudson and Fort Gibson Lake.
At times of elevated lake levels, the GRDA Police Department encourages boaters to take extra precautions. Be mindful of any floating debris that may be in the lake. The higher lake levels can mean more driftwood and debris floating in the water. Please be on the lookout as you are boating. Also, be mindful of your neighbors and watch your wake. Due to elevated lake levels, wakes can roll up onto property that is normally above the water causing additional damage to structures. All vessel operators are responsible for their wakes. It is crucial to remain mindful of the changing lake shoreline topography and the possibility of now-submerged structures. Things like stumps, picnic tables, retaining walls and other structures typically located along the shoreline may now be submerged due to the lake levels. Use extreme caution and avoid unfamiliar areas of the shoreline and please stress the importance to all in your party to wear a life jacket, regardless of age, anytime on or near the water.
We urge people to use caution in the water and understand that even in normal conditions, it is “swim at your own risk.” Included are some tips from ODEQ that may also be helpful:
DO’s
- Do shower with soap and water after swimming
- Do wash cuts and scrapes with clean water and soap after swimming
- Do hold nose or wear nose plugs when jumping into water
- Do wear ear plugs
- Do wear swim goggles
- Do take children to the restroom frequently
- Do use swim diapers on infants
- Do stay away from any area that floating debris, oil sheens or dead fish
DON’TS:
- Don’t swim in water with a temperature greater than 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If the water does not feel cool when you first enter, then it is likely greater than 80 degrees.
- Don’t swim if you have cuts or scrapes
- Don’t swim after a heavy rain
- Don’t swim near storm drains
- Don’t swim in stagnant (unmoving) water
- Don’t swim in water with a green surface scum
No, GRDA is not able to provide a schedule for releases/hydroelectric generation.