News
GRDA Update: E. Coli advisories dropped for Grand, Hudson and parts of Illinois River
May 30, 2025
The Grand River Dam Authority Ecosystems and Watershed Management Department is announcing that E. Coli advisories have been removed from both Grand Lake and Lake Hudson. Advisories have also been removed from parts of the Illinois River.
Testing conducted in the department’s lab on Friday, May 30, revealed that water conditions have returned to normal in many of the sampling locations.
The only advisories currently in place are for the Chewey Bridge and Combs Bridge areas of the Illinois River. However, GRDA anticipates that as water levels along the river continue to fall, water conditions should also improve.
GRDA encourages the public to practice common sense in the water and follow safe swimming practices, no matter which waters you plan to visit.
Those safe practices include several swimming tips from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ):
- Hold nose or wear nose plugs when jumping into the water.
- Wash open skin cuts and scrapes with clean soap and water immediately after swimming.
- Avoid swallowing water when swimming.
- Wear ear plugs to prevent ear infections.
- Wear swim goggles or masks to prevent eye infections.
- Avoid swimming near storm drains (pipes that drain polluted water from streets).
- Take children to the restroom frequently/Use swim diapers on infants.
Also, after swimming, always remember to wash hands with soap and water for a full 20 seconds before preparing or eating food
The GRDA Ecosystems and Watershed Management Department will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates, and any future advisories as needed.