Geese blamed for closing of Keystone Lake beach

Mosquitoes aren't the only flying creatures causing problems in Oklahoma. Geese have forced a nearby beach to be shut down. <br><br>The Salt Creek Recreation Area near Mannford is empty these days.

Tuesday, August 6th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Mosquitoes aren't the only flying creatures causing problems in Oklahoma. Geese have forced a nearby beach to be shut down.

The Salt Creek Recreation Area near Mannford is empty these days. The water here has more than twice the amount of E-Coli that's considered safe. And officials say goose abuse is to blame.

A large colony of geese has decided not to commute north as they normally do. Officials blame people who've made a habit of feeding the geese. They usually only spend the winter here. US Army Corps of Engineers Ross Adkins, "But since they've been able to get the food here they figure why fly all the way to Canada."

As a result, the geese have produced unhealthy amounts of E-Coli. Officials say they may have to remove all the geese, in hopes of reopening the area before Labor Day.

Officials are urging people not to feed any of the wild geese at any of the lakes.