TULSA - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District announces procedures to keep the public informed of the potential or actual presence of blue-green algae in Tulsa District reservoirs in Oklahoma and Texas.
The procedures are also in concert with the new Oklahoma state law regarding response to BGA in state or municipally-managed lakes, as expressed in Oklahoma State Statutes, Title 74, Section 2301. A major component of this law is to provide educational materials to the public on BGA. Therefore, the Tulsa Distirct will partner with the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department in the development of educational materials that will be posted at all Oklahoma lakes.
The material developed will also be made available for posting by marina operators and other concessionaires at Corps lakes in Oklahoma and Texas. In addition to information about BGA, the educational flyers will include a variety of water safety messages including wearing of life jackets and not operating motor vessels under the influence of alcohol.
The Corps will refer members of the public to the Oklahoma lake water quality website, www.checkmyoklake.com, developed by OTRD and will post information, as well as testing results, on the Tulsa District website, www.swt.usace.army.mil.
In the absence of state level rules by a state agency in Texas, the Tulsa District will apply this implementation to Lake Texoma, both on the Oklahoma and Texas sides, and Pat Mayes Reservoir.
In Kansas, the Tulsa District will continue to follow the Kansas Department of Health and Environments recommendations for Tulsa District reservoirs in Kansas.
Release no. 12-010