if that stuff makes the fish grow like it does the crops, I want to fish Canton!
mainly wondering about Canton here. Lake has been as low as 16 foot down(11 down now) and so long since we've had rain like this in the area. So does not having rains for a long time allow all the chemicals from farming, etc build up and then suddenly washed into the lake after the first heavy rains in a while effect the fish? I know they periodically test for mercury levels in lakes but are there any correlations of levels being higher with different weather patterns?
if that stuff makes the fish grow like it does the crops, I want to fish Canton!
Achiro - You have NOTHING to worry about with the runoff going into Canton Lake.
Mercury is naturally occurring in soils in many places in Oklahoma. Certain lakes like Heyburn have a tendency to to collect and concentrate the naturally occurring mercury which then makes its way into the food chain. You can find published water quality reports on most Oklahoma lakes if you are concerned about it. The main concern would be for women of child bearing age. TC is right about the fertilizers, do some research into the white river system in Arkansas and some rivers in Canada, you will see how it has benefited the trout fishing.
It may wash in, but it also flushes out. Solution by dilution.
Achiro,
Due to your worries, I will volunteer myself to be your test dummy. I just need what you catch, cleaned and dropped off. I will give you a full report!
Seriously, what all of the guys said is true. You would have to have a daily diet of nothing but fish for years to have a tiny possibility at a problem.
OWRB conducts routine testing on lakes to track any pollutants, particularly those that support fishing and swimming.
One other thing, properly applied chemical and fertilizers are largely locked up in the biomass on farms, unless there is irresponsible application or poor erosion control measures in place, there shouldn't be a build up to run off. It's not in the farmers interest to waste money or soil.
Crappie Reaper, Redge LIKED above post
With all the Fracking going on in OK. I wouldn't worry about it.
As stated above the solution to pollution, is dilution.
Proud Member of Team Geezer!Crappie Reaper LIKED above post