Oklahoma lakes tested for blue-green algae for Labor Day visitors

Meanwhile, an old forest friend is reminding campers a statewide burn ban remains in effect, Oklahoma Forestry Services reported.

Copan Lake in Washington County was under a blue-green algae alert Wednesday, with warnings to avoid contact with the water at the Post Oak Beach area, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Tulsa. Boating was allowed.

People were urged to avoid drinking the water and to keep pets out of any discolored water. Fishermen may not want to eat fish from the lake. Algae-related toxins have been found in the tissues of fish.

Nate Herring, spokesman for the corps, said people going to a state lake for Labor Day should check the water before jumping in.

“If it's green on top, stop!” Herring said.

Oklahoma lakes are tested for blue-green algae routinely by the Corps of Engineers, Herring said. Results from algae testing are posted at www.checkmyoklake.com.

Major lakes that are clear of the algae blooms are Fort Gibson, Skiatook, Lake Eufaula, Lake Tenkiller and Lake Texoma.

Grand Lake in northeast Oklahoma also is clear this year, but last summer was under a blue-green algae alert.