City, BMA Declare Emergencies to Protect Blackwell’s Power System

The Blackwell City Council met for its regular session last Thursday night, with the spotlight fixed on a single utility pole off Highway 11—one more Chikaskia River flood away, some fear, from toppling into the water and leaving the city in the dark.

That pole supports the City of Blackwell’s 69 kV transmission main, the line that delivers essential power to both Blackwell and the Town of Braman. Located near the Highway 11 bridge, the line is perched in an area vulnerable to heavy erosion and flooding, a recurring threat along the Chikaskia.

Earlier Thursday morning, the City of Blackwell shared aerial drone footage of the site on Facebook, captured by the Blackwell Fire Department. The post was accompanied by the message:

“The City of Blackwell is working closely with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and Oklahoma Emergency Management to find a quick solution to stabilize the area.”

That same evening, the Blackwell Municipal Authority (BMA) Board of Trustees approved two emergency resolutions designed to protect the community’s power supply.

The first resolution, 2025-0011, authorizes immediate action on the realignment and stabilization of the transmission main along the Chikaskia River. Severe bank erosion has placed the line at imminent risk of failure. Officials warned that a collapse could cut off power and disrupt critical services such as water treatment, wastewater treatment, and the supply of electricity to homes, businesses, and industries.

Under the resolution, the city is allowed to bypass normal bidding requirements, granting Cimarron Valley Engineering, LLC authority to handle the stabilization project and secure competitive bids or quotes under emergency provisions of state law.

“The potential disruption of these services poses an immediate threat to public health, safety, and welfare,” the resolution states.

The second resolution, 2025-0012, addresses a separate but equally urgent issue: the deteriorating condition of Switch #6914 at the Lawrence Substation. The switch is stuck in a closed position and at risk of failing entirely. If it does, and when coupled with the vulnerability of the Highway 11 transmission main, Blackwell could experience a total loss of power.

Cimarron Valley Engineering will also oversee that emergency repair project. Officials stressed that the city’s transmission switches are outdated and discontinued, with replacement parts unavailable—making both emergency fixes and a long-term system overhaul essential.

Both measures passed with the required two-thirds majority of BMA trustees, officially declaring emergencies under state law.

“These steps are vital to maintaining essential services and protecting the community,” city officials emphasized.

Present at the meeting were Blackwell Public Power Interim Head Ivan Trevizo and engineer Matthew Coe of Cimarron Valley Engineering, who outlined plans to eventually relocate the main to the south side of town.

City Manager Jerry Wieland said the emergency situation has already been brought to county and state leaders, along with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, all of whom have pledged their support for the rehabilitation effort.

The BMA will review bids and quotes for both projects at its next regular meeting, scheduled for September 18, 2025.