Conditions For Holiday Spent At Oklahoma Lakes Nearly Perfect

With gas prices so low, a lot of Oklahomans will be traveling over the fourth of July weekend. Many of them will be heading to the lake and finding good news there, too.

Everything is shaping up to make this holiday weekend one of the best area lakes have seen in years.

Every single year for 40 years, Karen Barrett and her family spend the week of the Fourth of July at Fort Gibson Lake.

"This is the only way we know how to do the fourth. My kids don't buy fireworks, they come here for, the Fourth of July," Barrett said.

While the Barretts come every year, no matter what, over the past few years, the number of people visiting has been down dramatically.

Over the past couple summers, Ann Davis, with Paradise Cove Marina, said low water levels and excessively hot weather cut the crowds in half.

"Even the die-hards didn't come out when it was so hot," Davis said.

Blue green algae warnings dropped the number of lake visitors even more.

"With the blue green algae scares, probably 65 to 70 percent, business was down," Davis said.

But this year's Independence Day week is shaping up to be the best in years.

"We're elated. You betcha. We're all working very hard and enjoying seeing all of our customers coming back and enjoying the water," Davis said.

First, the lake level is just about perfect, at only two feet above normal, and temperatures aren't nearly as extreme as the last few years, meaning more people enjoying time at the lake.

"A lot of activities on the water, it's not so blistering hot that everyone can get out and enjoy themselves without having heat strokes or getting overheated," Davis said.

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Plus, gas prices are lower and the economy is improving, which means a better economic impact.

Davis said, "We're blessed with business. People are enjoying the activities on the water with their families and their friends."

She said she's also seen more campers so far this year than the last three years combined.

As for Karen Barrett and her family, they couldn't be more excited.

"Oh, this is going to be a perfect fourth, an absolutely perfect fourth," Barrett said.

Go here to check the current levels of your favorite Oklahoma lake