Clean-up at Purcell Lake

A program to clean up and improve Purcell Lake is in full swing this week.

The city’s Parks & Recreation Department coordinated with different organizations to bring the program to fruition.

John Blue, director of the Parks & Recreation Department, said work began March 14.

The department worked with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to increase aquatic fish habitats in the lake while also removing an overabundance of red cedar trees.

The trees cut on the west side of the lake are weighted down with concrete blocks.

Several sites were selected to sink the trees and provide more places for aquatic wildlife to live.

Locations of the submerged trees are marked with buoys.

Clearing the trees will also help open more space for the Issi’ Trail, a dirt trail that is under development on the west side of the lake for hiking, mountain bikes and cross country running.

On Saturday Parks & Recreation participated in the 2022 Great American Cleanup - Oklahoma! 

That program is part of an effort by Keep Oklahoma Beautiful to participate in the nation’s largest annual clean up event. 

Volunteers were given safety vests, gloves, trash bags and lake maps showing the areas that need trash collection.

The department’s advisory board served hot dogs, snacks and bottled water to the volunteers.

In addition, several fishing enthusiasts constructed a new aquatic wildlife and plant nursery on the south side of the lake to improve on the previous cages installed by ODWC several years ago. 

These cages provide a place for aquatic plants to grow and propagate, creating food sources and cover for all kinds of lake wildlife, Blue said. 

“These partnerships and efforts help keep Purcell Lake as a gorgeous recreation spot for the citizens of Purcell and help to rebuild its former reputation as a great lake for sport fishing,” he said.