Toxic algae discovered at Keystone Lake near Cleveland

CLEVELAND, Okla. - More blue-green algae confirmed at Green Country lakes.

Monday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers determined the algae bloom at Keystone Lake is toxic, particularly near Cleveland.

"The longer we go without rain or a change in the conditions, the more possibilities we have for more of the lakes getting some algae blooms," said Ross Adkins, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa district.

Another day, another bloom and more toxic algae. Keystone Lake is the latest to have it.

Boaters say it's visible.

"After the water got so low, like up here going into town you can see up there that the water is turning green, where there is no movement or nothing in it," said Donald Williams, who has boated at Keystone Lake for the last 30 years.

The Corps hasn't banned swimming yet anywhere on Keystone Lake but they have closed one access point near Cleveland due to blue-green algae concerns.

"That area is one of the areas that we really recommend being very cautious," said Adkins.

The continual threat of blue-green algae means officials will have to monitor all of the area lakes on a daily basis.

"It can change overnight, some of them can even go away overnight," said Adkins.

Currently, the Corps says there are still no traces of toxic algae at Tenkiller.

At Fort Gibson they still have the Taylor Ferry swim beach closed as a precaution.

Grand River Dam Authority officials say the conditions are improving at Grand Lake but the toxic algae is still present. There are still no confirmed cases of BGA at Lake Hudson.

"With the high heat, with the nutrient loading that comes in to the lake and the lakes being lower, the water tends to stagnate more, that's just an ideal recipe for the bloom to take place," said Adkins.

The forecast calls for more of the same, so the Army Corps of Engineers expects it to be a long summer.

"I think that we're gonna have this happening for quite a time," said Adkins.

While the algae isn't enough of a deterent for some lake-goers, Williams says he would rather be safe than sorry.

"Until they tell you that you now it's safe out here, I don't really care to keep the fish or get in the water," said Williams.