Tulsa Area Lakes Ready For The 4th

By Craig Day, The News On 6

WAGONER, OK -- The weather should be nice for the upcoming holiday weekend and area marina owners couldn't be happier.  After several years of extremely high water, this Independence Day weekend looks to be one of the best in quite a while.

At Whitehorn Cove Marina on Fort Gibson lake, everything is ready for a big holiday weekend.

"We're up and running.  We're fired up and ready to go," said Matt Taylor with Whitehorn Cove Marina.

The owners are busy with a few last minute projects before what is expected to be a big turnout.

"We're going to make up for the last two years," said the marina's Matt Taylor.

The past couple of years haven't been kind to marina owners when high water caused high anxiety.  Last year on Fort Gibson, the water was about 10 feet above normal.  Two years ago, it was 28 feet above normal.

That kept lakegoers away.

"It's very important that the water conditions are good.  The water conditions are normal so that we can run our business, and that storms, of course, stay away," said Brittany Taylor with the marina.

Not only will the weather be nice and the water level is near normal for a change, gas prices are also down about $1.40 a gallon from this time last year.

"People are going to be able to afford to drive to the lake and stay on the lake all day," said Matt Taylor.

Marina owners hope those factors will all add up to a successful holiday weekend.  And, a fun one for the thousands of people expected at area lakes.

"We're grateful that it is down for our fourth and we can have a good fireworks show and everybody can come out and enjoy the lake," said Brittany Taylor with Whitehorn Cove Marina.

Skiatook, Grand, and Eufaula Lakes are all at their normal water levels going into the holiday weekend.  Keystone, Oologah, and Hudson are all just above normal.