[File Photo]
MUSKOGEE, Oklahoma -
Toxic
blue-green algae is flourishing in more than a dozen Oklahoma lakes, prompting
warnings from health officials.
Advisories
were in effect Sunday for 15 lakes, with two more listed as possibly having
toxic levels of algae.
After
problems with swimmers falling ill last year, the Oklahoma Tourism Department
developed a website that enables people to check lake conditions, including
whether there are dangerous algae plumes.
The
Muskogee Phoenix reports the Army Corps of Engineers says it is working with
the state to provide information so people visiting lakes can decide whether to
swim.
The website
www.CheckMyOKLake.com includes a
pull-down menu of state lakes so users can check their status.
Among the
lakes with warnings Sunday were Charlotte, Fort Cobb Reservoir, Fort Gibson,
Eufaula and Tenkiller.