By Enid Lake Park Rangers
Christmas Safety Tips
With the hustle and bustle of the Christmas Holiday Season underway, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Enid Lake would like to remind everyone to keep safety on the top of their Christmas List this holiday season.

A few safety tips to keep you and your family safe while decorating for the holiday seasons are as follows: always check holiday lights to make sure they are recommended for intended use. Using lights that are not specifically designed for certain usage can be very dangerous causing fire or electrical shock.

Before hanging lights insure lights are in mint condition, free of broken or cracked sockets, and free of frayed or bare wiring. When putting up your Christmas tree be sure and place the tree away from heaters, fireplaces, and do not block doorways.

Christmas trees although very pretty can be very dangerous with the potential of catching fire. While decorating Christmas trees, be sure and use decorations that are made with flame resistant materials, and never use lighted candles on a tree.  For those who still use a live tree be sure and always keep the tree stands filled with water, heated rooms dry live trees out rapidly, which can result in the tree catching on fire.

For those who have small children in the home or will have small children visiting be sure to keep all small Christmas decorations or decorations with sharp points out of reach of children. These bright and shiny decorations are inviting to children, and can be very dangerous if swallowed. Last, but not least NEVER leave candles burning or Christmas lights on when going to bed or leaving your home.

Fireworks Safety
No holiday celebration seems complete without fireworks. While shooting fireworks or enjoying the beautiful fireworks displays, be sure and follow a few simple steps to keep you and your party safe.

Only use fireworks as intended, never alter them, remember alcohol and fireworks are not a good combination, never relight duds, fireworks shooters should always wear safety glasses, and spectators should always keep a safety distance. Before shooting fireworks be sure and check all local laws, and remember fireworks are strictly prohibited from Corps of Engineer property.

WINTER TIME RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AT ENID LAKE
As winter quickly approaches the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Enid Lake would reminds all outdoor enthusiasts about the many winter recreational opportunities offered at Enid Lake.  Visitors can enjoy camping, fishing, hunting, nature trail walks, wildlife viewing, and more.
Throughout the winter Enid Lake maintains four (4) Class A campgrounds Wallace Creek, Persimmon Hill, Chickasaw Hill, and Ford’s Well. Camping Rates are $10 & $12 at Wallace Creek and Persimmon Hill Campgrounds, and $10 at Chickasaw Hill and Ford’s Well Campgrounds.  Each site has water and electrical hook ups to accommodate 50 amp service, and a dump station is located at the entrance of each campground. Class A campgrounds also have heated shower houses and comfort stations.

Anglers can test their fishing skills throughout the winter for bass, crappie, catfish, etc. Anglers are reminded that lake access is limited during the winter months due to most ramps being out of the water because of low water conditions.

However, anglers can access the lake all winter from McCurdy Boat Ramp, which is located on the north end of Enid Dam. Anglers can also enjoy bank fishing at the outlet channel located below the dam.

With over 17, 000 acres of managed forest, hunters can enjoy hunting the many game species including: squirrel, rabbit, ducks, and deer.

Corps property provides hunters many types of hunting environments including: upland and lowland hardwoods, pine stands, sloughs, and old river runs. Hunters are reminded that hunting is restricted in developed recreation areas and areas marked “NO HUNTING” by signs.

Wildlife and hiking enthusiast can enjoy walking and viewing wildlife species on five different trails located throughout the project.

Enid Lake’s trail system offer visitors opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, obtain knowledge of the common plant and tree species of the area, as well as view wildlife species that inhabit the area.

The trails also provide visitors with opportunities to relax, unwind, and enjoy nature. A wildlife observation deck is also located at the Springdale Wildlife Management Area located off Highway 7 North of Water Valley. Wildlife enthusiasts can enjoying viewing waterfowl, deer, and other species, which inhabit the area.

Enid Lake Personnel would also like to remind all visitors to keep safety in mind this winter while enjoying all recreational opportunities and natural resources found at Enid Lake.

A few safety tips to keep in mind include: always wear hunter orange while hunting and hiking, wear a life jacket whenever participating in activities near or on the water, always let someone know where you are going and an expected return time, and All ATV/UTV operators and passengers (including UTV’s with full cabs) are required to wear an approved Department of Transportation (DOT) helmet no matter the recreational activity.

The Staff at Enid Lake would like to wish everyone a Safe and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. For more information on holiday safety please winter recreational activities, hunting maps/literature, and water safety contact the Enid Lake Field Office at 662-563-4571.

World Water Monitoring Day
Enid Lake hosted its Annual World Water Monitoring Day Wednesday, October 28, 2015.

What is World Water Monitoring Day?
World Water Monitoring Day is an event designed to educate people of all ages throughout the world about the value of clean water and the role of water quality monitoring.
 
Enid Lake Park Rangers along with 12 students of Pope School spent the morning conducting four different water quality tests on water samples taken from Enid Lake.

These test included temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and turbidity.  Each student received a monitoring kit, took a sample of water from either, the emergency spillway, outlet channel or lake and conducted the four tests.  As a bonus these students were treated to a hotdog cook out hosted by Enid Lake Park Rangers.