More People On Oklahoma Lakes For Labor Day During Pandemic

As the pandemic drags on, many Oklahomans are getting outside and spending what's left of the holiday weekend on the water. 

Some boaters said the lake can be perfect for physical distancing. The water was cold at first and it was windy Monday at Keystone Lake, but the sun was out for Labor Day. 

"It's been pretty good,” Haylee Davis said. “The wind is really, you know picking up and stuff, but the water feels great.”   

Davis spent the day at Appalachia Bay at Keystone Lake with her family. It was a chance to get out of the house and mentally escape the COVID-19 pandemic for the day. She said she feels like going out to the lake is a safe activity.  

"You see all the people are spread out, out here,” Davis said. “Honestly, I think it is.”  

Out on the water, some are finding the best way to physical distance is on a kayak, keeping more than six feet apart.  

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said it's been a busy summer with more people spending time at the lake than usual.  

"We've definitely seen an increase in boating activity on all lakes across the state,” Trooper Ryan Griffith said.  

Griffith attributes the spike to the pandemic.  

"People have looked for and needed a place to stay home vacation. And coming to the lake is great,” Griffith said. “It's a great opportunity for people to come some place where they can social distance as well as they can enjoy the great outdoors." 

For the Davis family, summer is not over just yet, there’s still a lot of sun to soak up. 

"Getting out in the sun, getting in the water. Having family time,” Davis said.  

This weekend, OHP is offering a free boating safety class at the Broken Arrow Police Department. 

The class will take place Saturday, September 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. To register for the class, boaters can visit okboated.com or contact Griffith at okboated@gmail.com.