Gathering, Sharing and Researching Grand Lake Water Quality

With roughly 70,000 surface acres of lake waters under its control, along with the scenic Illinois River, the Grand River Dam Authority is second only to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) in jurisdiction over state waters.

Those waters stretch from the far northeast corner of the state and serve as the main supply for over 50 water districts.

The entire footprint of these waters also serves as an important foundation for a thriving recreation and tourism industry across the region.

In other words, the waters managed by GRDA provide plenty of opportunities for all visitors, whether they come to boat, float, fish, ski, swim, and sail or just relax along the shore.

Thus caring for these waters is a key GRDA priority that rests at the very heart of the organization’s mission to “practice environmental awareness and promote conservation and reclamation of the natural resources under its control.”

Of course, that all must start with information and expertise and last week at the Oklahoma Clean Lakes and Watersheds Alliance Conference in Stillwater, GRDA had those items on display.

The GRDA Ecosystems Management Department joined with colleagues in their field to discuss many Oklahoma water-related issues while also sharing research.

GRDA’s presentations included an overview of its ongoing water quality research on Grand Lake and a closer look at recreational boating and water quality.

Such topics have been at the heart of GRDA’s research efforts since the establishment at of the Ecosystems Management Department in 2004.

Going forward, the department will keep its focus on these issues and others impacting the waters under its control.

Want to know more about these efforts? You can keep up with the ongoing conservation, research and outreach efforts of GRDA’s Ecosystems by following them on Facbeook: Grand River Dam Authority Ecosystems & Watershed Management.

Headquartered in Vinita, GRDA is Oklahoma’s state-owned electric utility; fully funded by revenues from electric and water sales instead of taxes. Each day, GRDA strives to be an “Oklahoma agency of excellence” by focusing on the 5 E’s: electricity, economic development, environmental stewardship, employees and efficiency.