Kaw Lake Water Supply Program

The City of Enid, Oklahoma, needed a long-term water source to replace depleted well fields and meet growing demand. To address this, the city launched the Kaw Lake Water Supply Program, an initiative to reduce reliance on groundwater and secure regional water sustainability. As Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR), Garney led the construction of the raw water intake, 70-mile transmission pipeline, greenfield water treatment plant (WTP), and new distribution main. Together, these facilities create a complete system that brings water from Kaw Lake to the City of Enid. 

Solutions 

Marine Construction: Garney’s marine crews installed a 500-foot submerged intake pipe and constructed a 100-foot-deep vertical shaft onshore. Using a tunnel boring machine, crews excavated an underground tunnel linking the intake to a new pump station, where water is pressurized for delivery to Enid. 

Transmission, Treatment, and Distribution: Garney installed more than 70 miles of large-diameter pipeline across rural terrain while overcoming approximately 300 feet of elevation gain. An intermediate booster pump station was constructed to maintain consistent flow. The new 10.5 MGD treatment plant converts raw lake water into drinking water through ozonation, flocculation, and filtration processes. The 3-mile Chestnut Line distribution main connects treated water from the plant to the city’s existing system. 

Collaborative CMAR Delivery: The Kaw Lake Water Supply Program marked a significant milestone as Oklahoma’s first municipal CMAR project. This method allowed the city to engage Garney early, fast-track the procurement of long-lead materials, and adapt plans in real time, which is essential for managing complexity and controlling costs. 

Project Status 

The Kaw Lake Water Supply Program is complete and operational. The City of Enid brought a decades-old vision to life through collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to sustainability. With Garney’s leadership across marine, pipeline, and plant scopes, Enid has a reliable, diversified water supply built to serve its community well into the future.