If you’re planning to visit ARM’s Southern Great Plains (SGP) site in Oklahoma and will drive the last leg of the trip, call first—especially if it is raining or the ground is wet. Check weather and local road conditions and don’t rely on your global positioning system (GPS), to get there after leaving the highway.
“We came out of our seven-year drought this year to a much wetter season and we’ve had about three or four vehicles that needed to be pulled out of the ditch,” explains John Schatz, SGP site operations manager. “In the past, we relied on employees with four-wheel drive vehicles to pull out stranded visitors, but because of liability issues, we can no longer offer this service.”
Gravel roads often turn into mud that can bog vehicles down, according to Schatz. By using the interactive Google map provided on the visit SGP web page, you can avoid the gravel roads that become dangerously muddy when wet.
“A few years ago we received 911 addresses” to aid responders in the event of an emergency, Schatz explains. “Our roads are now named with street signs at the corners and we are asking visitors to use the maps and find the right street signs rather than follow their GPS. Taking the roads on the map is a longer drive, because a GPS chooses a more direct route, but if it’s raining you should follow the all-weather route on the map. You’re sure to get stuck if you don’t and we have found that wrecker services will leave your vehicle in the ditch until the roads dry. Local farmers aren’t as available or willing to help as in the past, either.”
If you’re planning to visit the SGP site, contact John by phone at 331-318-3354 or by email to let him know you are coming!