— Elevated levels of blue-green algae cell counts has prompted advisories at three eastern Oklahoma lakes.

Advisories posted on a website erected by the Oklahoma Tourism Department indicate elevated levels of the toxic algae at various areas on Eufaula, Fort Gibson and Tenkiller lakes.

The website, www.CheckMyOKLake.com, is part of the state’s new approach to educate and inform lake-goers about blue-green algae and any outbreaks.

The law was passed in response to concerns that arose in 2011 after a number of outbreaks and subsequent advisories and warnings spooked tourists. Business owners experienced sharp profit drops, prompting criticisms from some who said the advisories and warnings unnecessarily heightened fears.

This year, those who visit Oklahoma lakes have to rely on the tourism department’s website or signs posted at recreational areas. Nate Herring, a spokesman for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Tulsa, said the federal agency is works in conjunction with the state to provide information lake-goers need to “make an informed decision” about swimming or boating at area lakes.

Information posted for Lake Eufaula indicates elevated blue-green algae cell counts were found earlier this month at Belle Starr, Porum Landing, Brooken Cove and Highway 9 Landing. Visitors at those locations are discouraged from having contact with the water until toxicity tests can be completed.

Similar findings have been made in the vicinity of Taylor Ferry North and Rocky Point at Fort Gibson Lake, and in the general vicinity of the Elk Creek, Pine Cove and Burnt Cabin areas at Tenkiller Lake. Visitors at those locations “should not drink untreated water or let themselves or pets come in contact with areas of discolored water.”

If contact occurs, authorities say people should rinse themselves or their pets with soap and fresh water. While swimming is discouraged in these areas, the tourism website states “visitors can still enjoy boating and many land activities around the lake.”

Herring said comparisons of blue-green algae outbreaks between this year and 2011 is difficult because of changes in how the state is approaching the issue. The prevalence of the outbreaks, Herring said, is difficult to determine “because the levels (cell counts) vary from one location to another.”

“We are seeing blue-green algae pop up at some of the same lakes affected last year,” Herring said. “It’s something we are monitoring. We do the testing and provide the results to the state; they decide what to do with the information.”

Attempts to contact state tourism officials were unsuccessful.

Reach D.E. Smoot at (918) 684-2901 or dsmoot

@muskogeephoenix.com.