Report shows heavy metals reaching Grand Lake from Tar Creek

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) Heavy metals from the Tar Creek Superfund Site and other former mining areas are reaching the entrance of Grand Lake during high flows on its feeder rivers.<br/><br/>This according to

Tuesday, March 7th 2006, 4:31 pm

By: News On 6

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) Heavy metals from the Tar Creek Superfund Site and other former mining areas are reaching the entrance of Grand Lake during high flows on its feeder rivers.

This according to a study discussed Tuesday at a meeting of geologists.

Lead and zinc levels in the Neosho and Spring rivers varied wildly in samples taken during rain storms at the point where the rivers converge into the popular recreational lake near Wyandotte.

But during some high flows in 2004 and 2005, zinc levels jumped to as much as 100 tons of zinc per day in both rivers and 7 tons of lead per day on the Spring River.

More study is needed to determine the environmental impact of the heavy metals in the water.