Sardis Lake

Southeastern Property Owners Sue Over OKC Water Deal

Caroline Halter

A group of property owners is suing over Oklahoma City’s agreement to siphon water from the Southeastern part of the state. They claim federal, tribal and…

Jerry Gutierrez steers his golf cart on a tour of his ranch near the Kiamichi River in southeastern Oklahoma. Gutierrez and other nearby residents urged the state not to approve Oklahoma City's permit to tap water from river.

Science Technology and Environment

A River of Uncertainty Lingers As State Approves OKC’s Permit For Southeastern Oklahoma Water

Joe Wertz

Oklahoma City’s decades-long quest for a permit to pump water out of southeastern Oklahoma is over. This week, state regulators approved a key part of the…

A sign along Oklahoma Highway 43 near Sardis Lake.

Politics and Government

Obama Signs Bill That Officially Ends Southeast Oklahoma’s Tribal Water Fight

Logan Layden

President Barack Obama on Friday signed the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, which passed the U.S. Senate in the wee hours Saturday…

Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., left, talks with the committee's ranking member Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., on Capitol Hill in Washington, Sept. 16, 2015.

Science Technology and Environment

Inhofe Pledges To Fast-Track Oklahoma’s Tribal Water Deal Through Congress

Logan Layden

Oklahoma officials and the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations spent 5 years hammering out a deal to share control of water across southeast Oklahoma, but…

Members of the Choctaw Nation gather at the Hugo Community Center to hear details on the new water deal from attorney Michael Burrage.

Native American

With Water Settlement Inked, Tribes Now Selling The Details Back Home

Joe Wertz

After five years of confidential negotiations, the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations have reached an agreement with the State of Oklahoma over water in…

Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton, Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin and Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby at a news conference announcing the water deal.

Native American

Inside The Landmark State And Tribal Agreement That Ends Standoff Over Water In Southeast Oklahoma

Joe Wertz

After five years of court proceedings and confidential negotiations, the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations have reached an agreement with the state over…

Chief of Choctaw Nation Gary Batton, from left, Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin and the Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby listen to a speaker during a press conference at the Oklahoma Heritage Center in Oklahoma City on Thursday.

Native American

Native American Tribes, State, Oklahoma City Settle Centuries-Old Water Dispute

Logan Layden

After five years of court proceedings and confidential negotiations, two Native American tribes have reached an agreement with the state over control of…

Grave sites at the Sardis Cemetery go back well into the 19th century and many of them are homemade.

Native American

Fight Over Sardis Lake Entangled In History, Indian Culture And Sacred Water

Logan Layden

The fight over control of Sardis Lake and water across southeastern Oklahoma pits the state against Native American tribes. To the Choctaw and Chickasaw…

Oklahoma’s lakes drive millions of dollars of tourism to otherwise impoverished parts of the state. But the local economy around Sardis Lake is missing out because of uncertainty about the water’s future.

Science Technology and Environment

Sardis Locals Say Lake Economy Suffers As Southeast Oklahoma Water Fight Drags On

Logan Layden

Oklahoma’s lakes drive millions of dollars of tourism to otherwise impoverished parts of the state. But the local economy around Sardis Lake is missing…

Pat Starbuck outside the Choctaw Nation Community Center in Talihina.

Politics and Government

The People Stuck In The Middle Of The Fight Over Southeast Oklahoma’s Water

Logan Layden

Sardis Lake, in southeastern Oklahoma, is at the heart of a battle between state and tribal governments over control of water. Debate has raged over…