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Blue Green Algae now at Keystone

Algae warning sign posted at Keystone State Park.
KWGS News Photo
Algae warning sign posted at Keystone State Park.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – - 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.