Blue River Becoming Even More Special

There are few rivers, if any, in Oklahoma more loved that south-central Oklahoma's Blue River.  One of Oklahoma's few remaining free-flowing streams, Blue River will be dedicated as part of the America's Great Outdoors Rivers Initiative during ceremonies September 21st featuring Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Water and Science, Anne Castle.

The Blue River project is part of President Obama's America's Great Outdoors Initiative, which seeks to set a community-driven conservation and recreation agenda for the 21st century.  The initiative seeks to enhance waters for recreation and stream restoration with federal agency support of community conservation. 

Blue River that flows through wildlife department owned and operated land is a designated trout stream from November through March.  The river also serves as a wonderful warm water fishery, outdoor classroom, hunting area, and gathering place for the outdoor enthusiast. Many who visit Blue River for the first time say that it looks more like a river one would expect to find in Colorado flowing from mountains, rather than in Oklahoma.

The dedication will take place September 21st at 9 a.m. at the Nature Conservancy's Ok' Yanahli Blue River Preserve.  Other speakers will be on hand from the Nature Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and The Nature Conservancy's Pontotoc Ridge Preserve.  The Blue River endeavor involves the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, U.S, Fish and Wildlife Service (Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge) and U.S. Geological Survey (Oklahoma Water Science Center).