Few Boaters Brave Grand Lake Waters On Holiday Weekend

NewsOn6.com

UNDATED -- The usually crowded waters of Grand Lake are close to deserted Saturday morning, July 2. Lake goers are heeding the warnings of Grand River Dam Authority and avoiding contact with the blue green algae infested waters.

SkyNews6 flew over Wood Hollow and Duck Creek, spotting less than a dozen vessels out in the lake, including one that left a trail through the algae coating the surface of the water.

The GRDA held an emergency meeting Friday and strongly encouraged people to stay out of the water.

Tests show in some parts of Grand Lake - BGA levels are nearly 18 times more toxic than the warning level the World Health Organization uses.

Learn the signs and symptoms of blue green algae illness

Green Country lakes located downstream from Grand - including Lake Hudson and Lake Fort Gibson - are not included in the advisory.

News On 6 photographer Bill Aycock sailed outside Langley on Friday and said he has never seen the lake so empty.

"In the four hours we were actually on the water, I think we saw a total of maybe 10 boats," he said.

Aycock said he did his best to avoid contact with the water but at one point did get some blue green algae on his arm as he was untying to launch the boat.

"It was nasty," he said. "I washed it off with some hand sanitizer, but I honestly felt more threatened by the heat than the blue green algae."

Campers can still be seen on the shores of the lake, and the fireworks show will go on as scheduled Sunday on Duck Creek.

Related Stories:
7/1/2011: Algae Found At Grand Lake A Powerful Poison
7/1/2011: GRDA: Algae Bloom Like This One Has Never Happened In Oklahoma
7/1/2011: Many Businesses, Lake Goers Say Fun Will Go On At Grand Lake
7/1/2011 GRDA: Public Advised To Stay Out Of Grand Lake Waters
6/30/2011 GRDA Board Calls Emergency Meeting Over Blue Green Algae In Grand Lake
6/29/2011 More Blue Green Algae Found In Grand Lake
6/27/2011 GRDA Issues Blue Green Algae Warning On Grand Lake