Water-Contact Bans Remain At Several Oklahoma Lakes

Associated Press

TULSA, Oklahoma -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is warning people that swimming and wading bans remain in place at several popular Oklahoma lakes because of toxic blue-green algae.

The Corps' Tulsa office released a reminder Monday that bans remain in place for portions of Skiatook, Eufaula, Keystone, Waurika, Tenkiller, Fort Gibson, Waurika and Texoma lakes.

All Corps recreation areas remain open for camping, and boating and fishing are still allowed.

Testing at each of those lakes has revealed a toxic form of the blue green algae, resulting in the bans and advisories. The Corps says retesting will be complete in a few weeks, and it's possible the warnings and advisories will be lifted at that time.

Cooler temperatures and increased rainfall are expected to ease the blue green algae threat.

8/26/2011 Related Story: Blue-Green Algae Found At Lake Texoma, Water Contact Prohibited.