The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will host a public meeting on Tuesday, June 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at DEQ Headquarters, 707 N. Robinson, in Oklahoma City to discuss elevated levels of mercury found in fish in some Oklahoma lakes. Fourteen lakes have been added since the last advisory was issued in 2016. Those lakes are:

• Arcadia Lake
• Birch Reservoir
• Boomer Lake
• Copan Reservoir
• El Reno Lake
• Greenleaf Reservoir
• Lone Chimney Lake
• Lake McMurtry
• Lake Murray
• Pawnee Lake
• Lake Ponca
• Lake Raymond Gary
• Shell Lake
• Waurika Reservoir

For detailed information on the advisories and testing, go to:

https://www.deq.ok.gov/wp-content/uploads/land-division/2017_MercuryinFish.pdf

The advisories are the result of testing done by DEQ with the cooperation of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Currently, 54 lakes in Oklahoma have specific advisories for mercury.

DEQ recognizes the importance of fishing in Oklahoma and actively promotes fishing and urges Oklahomans to enjoy the sport while following the suggested guidelines for fish consumption. Fish provide many benefits that are essential for a healthy diet; however, some fish do pose a higher risk for mercury contamination, and DEQ encourages people to be mindful of their choices.

The levels of mercury in a lake do not affect the lake’s safety as a source of drinking water or for lake recreation such as swimming and boating.

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