Initial observations were that the structural damage is minimal and there are no integrity issues that make the Corps concerned that the dam will not perform as designed. Immediately after the barges made contact, Tulsa District engineers were deployed to the structure. As of 9 am on May 24, the dam was experiencing inflow of 484,088 cfs and releasing 456,700 cfs. The flood of record occurred in May 1943 with an estimated peak discharge at the dam site of 720,000 cfs. Knowing the barges were loose and headed downstream, the Webbers Falls Lock and Dam staff ensured all tainter gates were fully elevated, to minimize damage in advance of the barge strike. The area, along with upstream watersheds, has been experiencing excessive rainfall. The water is used to generate electricity from a 60-MW powerhouse containing three turbine-generator units, which began operating in 1970. The reservoir impounded by the dam has a surface area of 10.900 acres. The spillway is a gated, concrete ogee weir with 12 50-by-41-foot tainter gates, separated by 11 10-foot intermediate piers. The spillway extends across the left half of the existing river channel. The total crest length of the structures - including the spillway, powerhouse intake and navigation lock - is 4,370 feet. Webbers Falls Dam is on the Arkansas River south of Muskogee, Okla. They quickly capsized, and the Corps says current water conditions make it unclear how much barge debris, if any, may have passed through the dam.

The barges made contact with the dam at the piers for gates 7/8/9 and 10. However, the Corps says the two barges, which capsized and are submerged below the water on the upstream side of the dam, are obstructing spillway gates 7, 9 and 10 from being able to fully close. Army Corps of Engineers reports that there was minimal structural damage to Webbers Falls Lock and Dam after two uncontrolled barges made contact at 11:58 am on May 23.

The facilities at these areas include designated campsites, picnic areas, boat launching ramps, drinking water, swimming beaches, and sanitary facilities.The Tulsa District of the U.S. There are three recreation areas on the lake that offer many opportunities for water oriented activities. Principal game species present at the project include whitetail deer, fox squirrel, gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, swamp rabbit, raccoon, mink, opossum, bobwhite quail, mourning dove, and several species of waterfowl. Opportunities are equally as good for the hunting enthusiast. Many have predicted that the striped bass will reach weights in excess of forty pounds in Oklahoma waters. For the fisherman the predominate species of fish in the lake are catfish, white bass, black bass, crappie, bream, walleye, sauger, buffalo, carp and a rapidly growing population of striped bass. Sportspeople will find recreation opportunities at Webbers Falls Lake the year around. On a bluff above the powerhouse is a scenic overlook where visitors may view the lock and dam and a large area of the lake An observation platform and visitors facilities have been provided at Webbers Falls Lock and Dam so that visitors may watch the lockage of barges and pleasure craft. The Webbers Falls area attracts many visitors during the early spring when the many flowering trees and shrubs such as redbud and dogwood are in bloom and again in the fall when the many hardwood trees are changing their colors. Webbers Falls Lock and Dam is located at navigation mile 368.9 about 5 miles northwest of the town of Webbers Falls, Oklahoma.

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