The Woodward News

Local News

August 28, 2012

Large crowds expected at lakes

Brandi Thomas Woodward News

Woodward, Okla. — Both Canton Lake and Fort Supply lakes are expecting to be filled to capacity with campers over the upcoming Labor Day weekend.

Tim Coffey said that they have about 10 non-electric sites left at Canton Lake and several non-reservable sites that should be filled over the holiday weekend.

Don Underwood said that all of the electric and group sites have been taken at Fort Supply and there are about 17 non-electric sites that were still available as of Monday, but he sees them filling up fast.

"People will want some place to camp for the weekend," Underwood said.

Underwood and Coffey are telling all boaters to use caution while on the water this weekend due to the low water levels.

"Even with the 4 1/2 inches of rain we had this weekend here at Canton lake, we are still 8 feet below normal," Coffey said.

A report for Fort Supply Lake shows the water level to be about 2 feet below normal.

"There are no restrictions on the lake," Underwood said, "but we just encourage people to use common sense while out on the water."

Underwood says that on Fort Supply Lake there are spots that could be too shallow to take your boat or personal water crafts, such as jet skis, so they are asking everyone to just check out the area before they get hurt or hurt someone else.

As another safety precaution, Coffey encouraged boaters to have life jackets for everyone on board and that children 12 and under wear the lifejackets at all times while on the water.

Underwood also reminded campers that the statewide burn is still in effect so no campfires will be allowed.

"The smallest of flames can cause the biggest fire," he said.

For more information on camping at these local lakes, contact Canton Lake at (580) 886-2989 and Fort Supply Lake at (580) 766-2701.



ALGAE NOT CONCERN AT CANTON AND FORT SUPPLY LAKES

While blue-green algae is causing some concern in other parts of the state, the officials at Canton and Fort Supply say there isn't anything to be worried about at their lakes.

According to both Coffey and Underwood there have been no reports or positive tests of blue-green algae at either location.

You can obtain more information about blue-green algae and current lake conditions for any of Oklahoma's lakes at checkmyoklake.com, the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department's webpage for state lake information.

According to checkmyoklake.com, blue-green algae (BGA) consists of tiny bacterial organisms that can live in all types of water including lakes, streams and ponds.  BGA is usually found in low numbers, but can become abundant in certain conditions like warm, stagnant water, heavy sunlight and areas that have recently had a change in chemicals, such as nitrogen from fertilizer.

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