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What is really going on with Lake Texoma
By Allen Rich
Feb 16, 2012
Denison -- What is really going on with Lake Texoma?
That question was formally presented by chambers of commerce in Denison, Pottsboro and Sherman, and a large crowd estimated at 175 concerned residents filled Loose Wheels in Denison February 15 to hear a panel tell what has been learned about blue-green algae.
The panel consisted of Grayson County Judge Drue Bynum; limnologist, Gil Alexander; Scott Haywood, Lake Texoma Association; John Teel, Grayson County Health Department Director; Jerry Chapman, Greater Texoma Utilities Authority; Kathy Whaley, Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge Manager; and Michael Tucker, Texoma Development. Steve LeNore served as moderator.
(L-R) Grayson County Judge Drue Bynum and Jerry Chapman, Greater Texoma Utilities Authority
Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, is a naturally occurring bacteria that is present to some degree in almost every body of water on Earth, however it has been grabbing headlines in the Texoma Region ever since an extremely hot, dry summer resulted in first a warning and now an advisory from the Tulsa District Corps of Engineers after their tests indicated higher than normal levels of blue-green algae.
What Texoma residents have been asking for months is, why is Lake Texoma the only lake in Texas being tested?
That answer is still very elusive and no representative of Tulsa District Corps of Engineers was present Wednesday to explain the process that has singled out one lake in Texas when no other lake in the state is even being tested.
And while this red flag frightened tens of thousands of outdoor enthusiasts away from Lake Texoma- and that is only a fraction of the financial hit the entire Texoma Region is taking -- no one is stepping forward to offer the public a fair perspective of the status of other lakes.
"You need to know what the algae level is in the lakes you 
are being scare to," remarked Grayson County Health Department Director John Teel. "Let's measure the risk appropriately, analyze data and then communicate that information effectively to the public -- not create fear and panic."
Teel thanked Grayson County Commissioners and the Grayson County Judge for providing funding to do enhanced testing on February 22 when the Corps performs its next blue-green algae test at Lake Texoma.
"We have begun a really good dialogue with the Tulsa District Corps of Engineers," stated Judge Bynum. "That's a giant step forward in my opinion."
Grayson County officials have insisted that simply testing for levels of blue-green algae without testing for dangerous levels of toxins that can be released by cyanobacteria under certain conditions does not provide the public with the information needed to make an informed decision.
"We are looking at an emerging science," said limnologist Gil Alexander and questions from the audience Wednesday were ample evidence of improvements that must be made in the interest of public health.
Why is Texoma the only lake in Texas being tested?
What are the blue-green algae levels and -- far more important -- toxin levels at every recreational lake in Texas?
When the cyanobacteria levels can change dramatically in the two weeks it takes to get results back, how effective can the current test be?
Why frighten the public off an entire lake when only certain parts of the lake are considered unsafe?
While professionals are scrambling to come up with better answers, there is a bit of old-fashioned logic the public can use to do on their own test.
Alexander also provided examples of what the public can do to limit extreme levels of blue-green algae. Landowners and, in particular, golf courses, should limit phosphorus that ends up in the lake after watering or rainfall. This can often be accomplished by installing a buffer designed to trap and absorb phosphorus.
Make sure septic systems are functioning properly.
Also, be aware that most detergents contain phosphorus.
Editor's note: related article: http://www.ntxe-news.com/artman/publish/article_74553.shtml
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Republished with permission
