TULSA – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District is reporting that two major outbreaks of algae blooms have now occurred at Keystone Lake near Mannford and near Cleveland.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District is reporting that two major outbreaks of algae blooms have now occurred at Keystone Lake near Mannford and near Cleveland.
Corps officials are tentatively identifying the bloom as blue-green algae that could be potentially harmful but will not be able to confirm until test results are received.
As a precaution, Corps officials have posted the lake with an advisory to boaters and swimmers that contact with the algae could be harmful.
According to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers biologist Jim Harris, until tests results are known, the District is making the advisory posting to prevent people accidently coming in contact with the possibly toxic blue green algae bloom.
"Visitors to our lakes should not swim, wade or come in contact with stagnate, foamy or discolored water." Harris said. "If you should swim or otherwise come in contact with possible algae bloom - rinse off with fresh water preferably with soap if available."
He also advises not to let pets swim or drink water that is discolored or with an obvious scum.
Other precautions that should be taken are, if you catch fish in Keystone Lake, clean them well and discard entrails.
Blue-green algae are naturally present in Tulsa District lakes at low concentrations, however, during hot and dry conditions, nuisance blue-green algae blooms can occur and these blooms can create unwanted risks associated with swimming and wading at recreational areas. A blue-green algae bloom can occur in any lake at any time if the conditions are right.
Visitors are asked to take the following precautions at all Tulsa District lakes:
1. Do not drink untreated water.
2. Do not swim, water ski, wade, or boat in areas where the water is discolored or where you see foam, scum, or mats of algae on the water.
3. If you swim or wade in water that may have blue-green algae present – rinse off with fresh water (and soap if it is available). This is also an effective method of reducing skin exposure for your pets.
4. Do not let pets or livestock swim or drink where the water is discolored or where you see foam, scum, or mats of algae on the water.
5. Respect all water body and beach closures
Visitors are asked to report any possible blue-green algae blooms to the local project office or the Oklahoma Dept. of Environmental Quality. If a potential bloom is reported, we will perform water samples to determine if the bloom is harmful. Not all blue-green algae blooms are harmful.
The Corps of Engineers will post updates on our Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/usacetulsa.