Public Advised To Stay Out Of Grand Lake Waters
9 mins ago
NewsOn6.com

UNDATED -- The Grand River Dam Authority Board of Directors is advising people to stay out of Grand Lake just before*one of the biggest holiday weekends of the year. The reason? Blue green algae.

"We strongly discourage any body contact with the water at this point," said GRDA Corporate Communications Director Justin Alberty.

"That means no swimming or any other activities that would bring you into contact with lake water."

The reason for*the advisory is*the rapidly changing conditions of the BGA levels and areas in the lake, Alberty said. Earlier in the week, BGA was confirmed in several locations at Grand Lake.*

Alberty said that after further monitoring, it appears there is the potential for the algae to be in all the major coves and areas of the main lake.

6/30/2011 Related Story: GRDA Board Calls Emergency Meeting Over Blue Green Algae In Grand Lake

"Test results from late Thursday afternoon showed BGA toxicity at higher levels than before, and this is a situation that continues to develop rapidly. We strongly discourage anyone from getting into the lake at this point," he said.

BGA are microscopic organisms that are naturally present in lakes and streams, usually in low numbers. However, the algae can become abundant in shallow, warm water that*gets heavy sunlight.

While most BGA are not toxic, toxins can be produced in some algae blooms. That is what has occurred on Grand Lake and continues to develop.

The advisory is taking place just as the lake community gears up for one of the biggest weekends of the year its with annual 4th of July fireworks shows.

The Grand Lake Dam Authority will hold a news conference at 1:30 p.m. to discuss the situation at Grand Lake, and News On 6 will be there.

TULSA, Oklahoma -- A blue green algae outbreak could shut down Grand Lake for the holiday weekend, a Grand River Dam Authority board member told News On 6 Thursday evening.

The GRDA told News On 6 it considers the algae outbreak a "very serious situation." The GRDA board, along with the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, has called an emergency meeting for Friday at 1:30 p.m.

The meeting is taking place at the offices of David Chernicky, chairman of GRDA's board of directors, at 1307 South Boulder.

Depending on the DEQ's recommendations, the GRDA says it could decide to close portions of the lake or even shut down the entire lake.

U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe became ill*after swimming in the lake last weekend.

His office confirms the Senator is on the mend, recovering from "upper-respiratory illness," one of the signature symptoms of blue green algae sickness. The senator*swam in the lake on Sunday, June 26, 2011.

Blue green algae was found*in*Ketchum Cove and Party Cove on Wednesday, June 29, 2011.* It was also found near Bernice State Park and in parts of Horse Creek and Duck Creek last Friday, June 24, 2011.

6/29/2011 Related Story: More Blue Green Algae Found In Grand Lake

The DEQ is*waiting on results from water samples at Woodward Hollow and Honey Creek to determine if BGA was found in those parts of the lake.

Blue Green Algae is not toxic most of the time, but toxins can be produced in some algae blooms.**It's naturally present in low numbers in lakes, but can become abundant in shallow, warmer water that gets a lot of direct sunlight.

According to a fact sheet from the DEQ, it may look like green, bluish, brownish, or reddish-green paint and may look like a thick green mat when it washes on shore.

Read a news release about*BGA*from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality

Closing Grand Lake for the July 4th holiday would not only put a damper on the lake's huge fireworks shows, but could cost lakeside businesses one of their most profitable weekends of the whole year.

Following the board meeting Friday afternoon, representatives from DEQ and GRDA will answer questions from the media.

If you have suspicions of other possible outbreaks on Grand Lake, the public can contact the GRDA Ecosystems Department at 918-256-0723.