The Environmental Protection Agency tells Miami that Tar Creek remains unsafe.
Representatives from the EPA were in Miami, OK, last night to talk about the water in Tar Creek. The message to residents was that while the water may look clean, it isn't safe for swimming or fishing. The now-clear waters of Tar Creek once ran orange or red due to contamination with lead, zinc, and other heavy metals left by nearby mining operations in the early 20th century.
The city of Miami will be placing cameras along a stretch of Tar Creek where several dams and swimming holes were constructed by residents over the summer. The local activist group Local Environmental Action Demanded or LEAD Agency plans to ask the EPA for more help in cleaning up the site in hopes that Tar Creek water can be usable in the future. But, until that happens, Tar Creek is unsafe for activities like swimming, fishing, or even picnicking along its banks.
