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Intake vortex forms as floodgates drain Oklahoma's Lake Texoma. Source: YouTube/USACETulsa Source: YouTube
A HUGE intake vortex has appeared in Oklahoma’s Lake Texoma and incredible footage shows it looking like a giant bathtub being emptied.
The rare vortex is about eight feet wide and capable of sucking in a full sized boat, according to the Tulsa division of the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
About 55,000 cubic feet of water per second is being released from the lake through two hydropower generators and the floodgates.
“It’s basically just a large whirlpool that’s caused by the large gate openings, and all the water being evacuated through the gates,†Lake Manager Joe Custer told WXII.
“That’s why we have the warning signs and buoy lines. People need to understand it’s a very dangerous situation.â€
The vortex has also caused the water levels of the lake to drop.
Video shared by the Tulsa division of the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) shows the vortex swirling. Severe flooding was reported around the at the time this video was released.
Huge vortex large enough to suck in a boat. Source: YouTube/USACETulsa Source: YouTube