The Hot Oklahoma Summer Has Created Better Lake Conditions

If there is any benefit to a very hot and dry summer in Oklahoma, it has to be the lake conditions.

Most of the Sooner State seems to be in this magical Goldilocks state. We're dry enough that most of the lakes are surprisingly clear, but we're also getting just enough rain to keep things from getting nasty and stagnant.

What Clear Oklahoma Lake Water Actually Looks Like

Granted, a clear Oklahoma lake isn't a deep, pretty blue. It's more a greenish-brown, like a deep glass of tea.

Before you point out that there are areas of lakes that are pretty stuffed up with scum and algae, that's normal too, even when we have a cool and rainy summer. The less water movement there is, like in a cove, the faster the miniature ecosystem develops to discourage you from being there.

Oklahoma Lake Conditions Depend On Where You Are

While this is true of a lot of Oklahoma's lakes, it's not the same story they're all telling. It seems the further north and east you go, the dirtier things look. They've gotten a lot more rain on the east side of I-35, so those lakes are a few weeks behind everything in Western OK at the moment.

As miserably hot as it has been, you can't deny it has been a pretty great lake summer. Clear skies, hot sun, warm water. You can't beat that combo on a hot day, even if the water is a little too warm to be "refreshing." Wet is good enough.

All the same, while it's been a stellar summer for watersports enthusiasts, it has been rough on our anglers who don't enjoy a dip in the water. I've seen more patio umbrellas kludged onto bass boats this year than ever before. It shows some real Oklahoma engineering and grit, but it also ruins the few days each week when the jetskis are still in every Chad's garage.

The current conditions are the forecast for the foreseeable future. We'll likely be this hot until September, when we cool off to the low-100s. Looking beyond that, be sure to order light and breathable Halloween costumes for the kids this year. We're in for a long, lingering summer.