McAlester News-Capital, McAlester, OK

Local News

For the entire Lake Eufaula

• Contact with water is discourage;
• Do not drink untreated lake water;
• Keep pets and livestock away;
• Clean fish well and discard entrails; and
• Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation when boating.
Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Health warning

In case of contact with harmful algae, call your doctor or veterinarian if you or your animals experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash, eye irritations, respiratory symptoms or other unexplained illnesses.

Related Photos

  • A photo taken in mid-August shows a busy beach at Lake Eufaula northwest of Longtown. Dozens of boats lined a near half-mile stretch on a sandy coast. No signs of blue-algae were seen at this location and many beach-goers cooled off in the water. Staff photo by Brandy Brackett Photo by Brandy Brackett

    Eufaula

  • A close-up view of the blue-green algae, which, in heavy concentrations, looks similar to paint splattered in the water. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers prohibited contact with the water in the Gentry Creek area in July, and continues conducting tests on other parts of the lake to determine if the blue-green algae is present in those areas. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo

    Blue Green 2

  • A pocket of blue-green algae is shown along the shore of the Gentry Creek area in Lake Eufaula in July. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said the algae is considered highly toxic when it’s in bloom or decaying. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

    Blue Green 1

Related Links

September 1, 2011

Blue-green algae sighted at two locations

By Jeanne LeFlore Staff Writer

McALESTER — Swimming in Lake Eufaula can be hazardous to your health, according to a report from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Tulsa. All areas of Lake Eufaula have harmful algae present and may be unsafe for humans or pets, according to the report.

And although the lake is not closed, even inhaling the spray from the water can be dangerous, according to the report.

“Boating is permitted. Boaters should reduce their speed because the spray caused at higher speeds can be dangerous if inhaled,” according the report.

With the Labor Day holiday right around the corner, knowing where and when to swim can help make the holiday safe for visitors to the lake.

“It is very important that the public is well-informed and able to assess the adverse health risk the bloom poses to them and their families as they make their weekend plans,” said Lt. Col. Eugene Snyman, deputy commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Tulsa.

One area of Lake Eufaula is completely closed and another has a no-water-contact warning, according to the report.

— Porum Landing Swim Beach is completely closed and contact with water is prohibited.

— Sandy Bass Bay recreation area has harmful algae present and the area is unsafe for humans or pets.

According to the report “although the area is open, do not go into the water, as water contact is prohibited.”

For updates go to www.swt.usace.army.mil.

For more of the story, see Thursday's issue of the McAlester News-Capital.

Contact Jeanne LeFlore at jleflore@mcalesternews.com.

Text Only
Local News
Seasonal Content
Poll

A recent study of southern tornadoes has found that storm shelters did not protect them. Where do you take shelter when tornadoes threaten?

A basement or cellar
A storm shelter
A hallway or closet
Bathtub
Other
I don't take shelter
     View Results
AP Video
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium 50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
NDN Video
Wild weather for Memorial Day weekend Inspiration for the class of 2012 Colorado College Student Shot While Trespassing Will Smith & Josh Brolin on "Men in Black 3" 80-Year-Old Skydiver's Nightmare Jump JWoww Sizzles in a Black Bikini Sliders on the Grill Cruise ship crunch Backstage With Beyonce Ultimate Creamy Potato Salad Pope's Personal Butler Under Arrest Jenny McCarthy's New Man Tyler's Classic Coleslaw Britney Spears Under X Factor Fire Flesh-Eating Bacteria Victim Hits Milestone Hurricanes and Heat Waves Across America Kristen Stewart Is Red Hot Shark Attacks Australian Fishing Boat Bradley out for playoffs Kayaker Survives Trip Over Washington Waterfall
Parade
Magazine
Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.