Tulsa officials telling people to stay away from the Arkansas River

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — The Arkansas River is getting wider and deeper by the day. It has now consumed much of the River Parks system, parts of Riverside Drive, and the attention of thousands of Oklahomans.

"We just wanted to see how far the river has risen," said Hunter Gabbard.

Curiosity brought Hunter and his friends to the Riverside Trails at 61st Street.

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"It does make me a little bit nervous because we don't live far from here; we're hoping it doesn't rise enough to hit our house," said Kimberly Main.

Tulsa police, though, say no matter what the reason for the curiosity, everyone should stay far away from the River Parks.

"What it's going to cause and what it has caused is the attempt to rescue somebody. We're going to have a first responder put their lives in harm's way to save you because you chose not to listen to a very simple warning and put your life at risk," said Sgt. Shane Tuell with Tulsa police.

It may sound alarmist, but it's not. That water has a monstrous current to it. There's the potential for a sinkhole to open up under your feet, even on dry land. Then, there's the stuff in the water itself.

"If the water doesn't get you, and a sinkhole doesn't get you, you're looking at very unsanitary water that has saturated this area. There are snakes that have been displaced and are not very happy," said Tuell.

Sergeant Tuell says you can still watch the water from a safe distance, like a block away. Just do not get too close and definitely don't go past barricades or caution tape.

"We're not trying to deny you the ability to watch the water," said Tuell. "We're trying to save your life."