The Duncan Banner

Local News

July 11, 2012

Clear Creek Lake algae warning posted

Joshua Kellogg The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — The City of Duncan is discouraging all contact with the water at Clear Creek Lake after a reported case of blue-green algae.

City Manager Jim Frieda said Lakes Superintendent Rusty Smith had been contacted by a resident who believes her grandchild is sick as a result of contact with blue-green algae.

“Since it was reported, we are posting signs and discouraging swimming and notifying the proper authorities,” Frieda said. “We sent the message out as it would be much quicker to get the word out.”

The Red Flag Alert system sent out a warning at 3:22 p.m. Tuesday, informing residents through text message and phone calls.

Smith has been searching around Clear Creek looking for signs of blue-green algae and has not discovered any evidence yet but the investigation is still underway.

Officials at the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality were informed Tuesday afternoon after the Red Flag alert was posted, DEQ Spokeswoman Skylar McElhaney said.

“I sent that message out 10 minutes after we learned about the reported case,” Frieda said. “As of this minute, there is no sign on the surface of the algae that is visible. But we want to keep it shut down to make sure no one is swimming in the water.”

Swimming and any contact with the water is discouraged at the moment. Boating is allowed but residents and visitors should be cautious of contact with the water.

Jurisdiction for Clear Creek Lake falls under the City of Duncan, unlike Waurika Lake, which has had issues with blue-green algae and is monitored by the Tulsa District of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Waurika Lake was prohibited to human contact and recreational use in 2011 because of blue green algae, after testing was also conducted of the water.

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