Flooded Oklahoma Lakes Force Changes To Some Firework Festivities

Cities across Green Country are getting ready for Fourth of July celebrations this weekend; one of the first cities kicking off the celebration is Bixby with 'Freedom Celebration.'

The festivities in Bixby near 121st and Memorial started Wednesday evening, and while people there were ready to watch fireworks light up the sky, some places had to call off their fireworks shows.

While cities haven't had any reason to delay the celebrations, some area lakes are putting them off until lake levels go down.

As people across eastern Oklahoma get ready to enjoy fireworks and head out to a nearby lake, some U.S. Army Corp of Engineer campgrounds and boats ramps are still under water.

Chief of Recreation Kent Dunlap said the water levels at Lake Tenkiller and Lake Eufaula are some of the highest in the state.

"We just had so many issues with the water being so high at both of those lakes and trying to get the campsites back in service," he said.

Flooded campsites are the biggest problem.

Oklahoma Lake Levels

Lake Eufaula will still have a fireworks display, but the Greater Tenkiller Area Association postponed its fireworks show until Labor Day weekend in September.

All the other firework displays at area lakes, like one of the largest at Duck Creek at Grand Lake will go on as planned.

List Of Firework Displays Across Oklahoma

However, Dunlap said to be extra cautious while in the water this weekend as some lakes are still high, and picnic tables and trees that would normally be on dry land are under water.

"Even on the wide open part of the lake you will see debris, drift and considerable sized trees and things floating," Dunlap said.

Lake Skiatook has benefited the most from the flood water; it finally reached normal levels after years of being low.

In fact, the sandy beach at Tall Chief Cove opened this week after being closed down for years because of low lake levels.