GRDA – Swim beach to remain closed in Bernice
VINITA, Okla. – Due to continued elevated levels of E.Coli and Enterococci in water samples taken from Grand Lake State Park (Bernice), the swim area of the park will remain closed. GRDA, along with the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Oklahoma Conservation Commission, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board will plan to reassess the situation on Tuesday, June 17. The swim area was initially closed June 3 due to elevated levels of the bacteria which exceed the OWRB standard for bodily contact.
“Because of the continued elevated levels of the bacteria in the area we will continue to be cautious and public safety remains a priority,” said GRDA Communications Director Justin Alberty. “At the same time, we are still actively investigating to determine the source for these elevated levels and will continue monitoring the area daily.”
GRDA continues to draw daily water samples from the area. Samples taken over the weekend continued to show levels exceeding OWRB standards, and additional samples, used to help determine the source of the bacteria have also been drawn and sent to an independent laboratory.
Alberty also stressed that the high bacteria presence appears to be isolated to this one location, with many other areas of Grand Lake still available for swimming and water recreation. There are several activities on and around the lake this weekend such as Ugly’s Poker Run, along with a variety of fishing tournaments including the 2014 Fishin’ Pals Grand Challenge held on Saturday at Martin’s Landing. This is a youth/adult team challenge, and more information can be found at www.fishinpals.com. Cherokee Heritage Day is also this Saturday at Har-Ber Village in Grove (www.har-bervillage.com).
Additionally, GRDA has tours of the historic Pensacola Dam available each day through the summer. The tour originates at the GRDA Ecosystems and Education Center in Langley, and allows guests the opportunity for an up close look at Oklahoma’s first hydroelectric facility. The free tours are given daily (9AM – 4PM), between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. If you are planning to take the tour, keep in mind that every individual 18 years of age and older must present a valid driver’s license, state issued ID card or International Visa to tour the dam.
About GRDA
Headquartered in Vinita, GRDA is Oklahoma’s state-owned electric utility; fully funded by revenues from electric and water sales instead of taxes. Directly or indirectly, GRDA’s low-cost, reliable; electricity serves nearly 500,000 homes in Oklahoma and stretches into 75 of 77 counties in the state. At no cost to Oklahoma taxpayers, GRDA also manages 70,000 surface acres of lakes in the state, including Grand Lake, Lake Hudson and the W.R. Holway Reservoir. Today, GRDA’s 500 employees continue to produce the same “power for progress” that has benefited the state for 75 years. For more information, visitwww.grda.com.
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