Oklahoma Lake Conditions

Oklahoma Lake Conditions

With more than 200 lakes and over one million surface acres of water for boating and swimming, Oklahoma has been a haven for water recreation. In recent years, Oklahoma and other states have been impacted by various naturally occurring environmental conditions. Learn how to keep you and your family safe on Oklahoma?s waterways and find answers to all of your questions about swimming and water safety here.

Simply browse this section for frequently asked questions, water safety tips, lake updates, blue-green algae identification tips and more. Before you pack up the car and head to your lakeside destination, choose your lake from the drop-down menu below to view the most up-to-date lake conditions and testing results.

Click here for Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) information.

RECOGNIZE BLUE-GREEN ALGAE

Remember: if it's GREEN on top, STOP!

Blue-green algae can be found in many types of waterways such as lakes, ponds, creeks and rivers. Learn to identify blue-green algae and protect yourself by avoiding water that is discolored, or where foam or scum is present.

Though blue-green algae can occur in small amounts not visible to the human eye, large blooms often resemble blue-green paint that has been spilled in the water. Be on the lookout for foam, scum or mats that float on the surface of the water, or a pea soup-like substance.

Mats of blue-green algae can be blown across the lake surface by winds and wash up onto the shore. These shoreline mats can be even more concentrated, and therefore, potentially more toxic than algae blooms in the water.

Blue-green algae blooms can be blue, bright green, brown or even red. As the algae in blooms die, the water may also have an unpleasant odor.

Remember: if it's GREEN on top, STOP!

FAQS ABOUT BLUE-GREEN ALGAE

What is blue-green algae?

Blue-green algae (BGA) consists of tiny bacterial organisms that can live in all types of water including lakes, streams and ponds. BGA is usually found in low numbers, but can become abundant in certain conditions like warm, stagnant water, heavy sunlight and areas that have recently had a change in chemicals, such as nitrogen from fertilizer. BGA is also known as cyanobacteria.

Where does BGA come from?

BGA has been around forever. The bacteria have been found among the oldest fossils on Earth and are one of the largest groups of bacteria. Algae are vitally important to water ecosystems, and most species of algae are not harmful.

What is a BGA bloom?

When BGA grows very thick and dense, it is called a bloom. Most BGA blooms are completely harmless; however, the blooms can turn toxic in a short amount of time, so all BGA are considered potentially harmful. Not all BGA blooms can be seen by the naked eye.

What are some characteristics of BGA blooms?

Though BGA can bloom at any time of the year, it is most active during the summer and fall. Most of the time, when algae blooms, it produces a thick mat of scum on the water's surface and shoreline. The scum can range in color from blue and green to red and brown. The scum from BGA can sometimes look like a paint spill. When the bloom dies, it can smell similar to rotting plants.

What is a toxic bloom?

Some BGA produce nerve toxins (neurotoxins) or liver toxins (hepatotoxins), as well as toxins that affect the skin and gastrointestinal tract. The toxins can be present in the algae or in the water. You cannot tell if a bloom is toxic by looking at it.

How can I tell if BGA is present at my lake?

Use our lake conditions search function to find the latest BGA reports for the lake you are planning to visit. Additionally, BGA can sometimes be identified by the naked eye. BGA may look like green, blue, red or brown paint floating in the water. When BGA builds up, it can float to the shore and look like a thick mat. Keep in mind that not all BGA are visible, as it can bloom 1-3 feet below the surface and can only be identified using a microscope.

Why should I be concerned about BGA?

The toxins produced by BGA may cause a variety of reactions, including upper respiratory problems, eye irritation, vomiting and diarrhea. Any contact with BGA can be harmful, so you should avoid all body contact where BGA is present.

If you, your family or your pets have come in contact with water where BGA is present, seek immediate medical assistance. Children are particularly vulnerable to BGA as they tend to weigh less than adults and smaller quantities of the toxins may trigger a more severe effect.

Can my pets be harmed by BGA?

Yes. Pets are particularly susceptible to the harmful effects of BGA. If pets eat, drink or swim in BGA affected waters, it can lead to severe illness and even death. If your pet has been exposed to BGA, contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal clinic.

What are some BGA exposure symptoms?

BGA produce two kinds of toxins that affect humans and animals. In humans, exposure to nerve toxins may produce tingling in fingers and toes, numbness in the lips and dizziness. In animals, neurotoxin poisoning can cause weakness, staggering, difficulty in breathing, convulsions and death.

The second kind of toxin, liver toxins, can take hours or days to appear. Liver toxins can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting in humans, and can cause death in animals.

What if I, my family or my pets get sick from BGA?

Seek medical treatment immediately and notify your doctor/veterinarian about the exposure.

Am I safe from the BGA if I do not swim near it?

When possible, it is best to swim in a regulated beach area where safety and health notices will be posted. Contact with water not visibly affected by BGA is not expected to cause health effects. After visiting a lake, humans and animals should shower with clean water and wash thoroughly. Remember, not all BGA is visible to the human eye. Please use good judgment in deciding whether or not to swim in the lake.

How often are the lakes tested for blue-green algae?

The testing varies by lake. For the most up-to-date information on water testing, select your lake from the drop-down menu on the lake conditions page to see the most recently reported information

The Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) monitors Grand Lake, Lake Hudson and W.R. Holway sites once each month from October through April and twice a month from May through September. If any of the sites show an elevated risk of BGA, they will be tested once a week until the advisory is gone.

The City of Oklahoma City tests Lakes Hefner, Overholser and Draper on a weekly basis.

The City of Tulsa monitors Oologah Lake, Lake Eucha, Spavinaw Lake and Lake Hudson on either a weekly or monthly basis.

Other Oklahoma lakes are monitored by various sources and reports are funneled into our database.

How do I know if a lake is safe?

Use our lake conditions search function to find the latest BGA reports for the lake you are planning to visit. You can also search TravelOK.com for the page about the lake you wish to visit and contact lake personnel directly at the phone number listed. Ultimately, it is your responsibility to decide if visiting the lake is safe.

What should I do if I see a BGA bloom?

If you see a BGA bloom, avoid all contact with the water. Keep children, pets and livestock away from the water.

To report BGA, contact the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality at 1-800-522-0206.

WATER SAFETY TIPS

Water recreation, whether you spend the day swimming, boating, diving or floating a river, can be fun for family and friends and the cornerstone of any outdoor vacation. However, water can also be dangerous and present various hazards, especially for children. Before you head out on Oklahoma's lakes and waterways, it's always a great idea to brush up on current water safety tips. Read through TravelOK.com's water safety checklist below and keep your family safe in the water!

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  • Check your lake using our lake conditions search function for the latest information on blue-green algae. Protect yourself by avoiding water that is discolored, or where foam or scum is present.
  • Swim in safe or designated swimming areas only. While not every location can have a lifeguard present, make sure to swim in established swimming areas, far away from hidden dangers.
  • Practice the buddy system when swimming. Swimming with a partner will ensure that if an emergency does happen, someone is available to assist you or go for help.
  • Know your limits. Swimming in lakes and rivers can be vastly different than swimming in your backyard pool, so don't push yourself beyond your natural swimming capability. Remember that more energy is needed to deal with changing conditions and to swim against currents.
  • If you're not a strong swimmer or just learning how to swim, don't swim in water that is too deep. Always swim in an area where your feet can touch the lake or river bottom. Stay safe and don't try to keep up with more skilled swimmers.
  • Be prepared for emergencies. It's always a good idea to have someone along that is trained in life-saving skills, such as CPR. Taking a free class at local organizations such as YMCA or YWCA can help save a life someday.
  • ALWAYS watch children when they are in or near the water. Do not get distracted by phone calls, text messages or talking to others.
  • When children are swimming in outdoor bodies of water, a life jacket is always recommended.
  • Avoid swallowing water while swimming.
  • Avoid swimming in polluted or algae-affected water. Check for visible signs and avoid surfaces that are questionable.
  • Wear ear plugs and swim goggles when appropriate.
  • Shower before and after swimming, and make sure to wash any cuts and scrapes with clean water and soap.
  • Check the local weather conditions and forecast before swimming or boating. Strong winds and thunderstorms can be dangerous.
  • Watch the sun and prevent sunburns. The sun reflecting off water can intensify the sun's rays, so be prepared with plenty of sunscreen, hats, UV-protection sunglasses and protective, light-colored clothing. Reapply sunscreen often.
  • Drink plenty of fluids. It's easy to get dehydrated when you're active and out in the sun all day. Drink lots of water and other fluids to prevent dehydration. If you start feeling dizzy, lightheaded or nauseous, you're probably dehydrated. Drink fluids and seek medical attention immediately.
  • Think before you dive. Only dive in areas that are known to be safe. Diving injuries can be severe, so check the water's depth before you dive in and identify any hidden rocks or other hazards, even if you plan on leaping in feet-first.
  • If you are boating, everyone should wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket. In Oklahoma, all vessels must carry one wearable floatation device for each person onboard and all children under 13 years of age must wear their life jacket at all times. Make sure that the life jacket is appropriate for the child's size and weight.
  • Be aware that alcohol and boating do not mix. While out on the water, you must be able to think quickly, since water and weather conditions can be unpredictable. Also note that one third of boating deaths are alcohol-related.
  • Respect all water and beach closures.