Lake Stomp returns to Oak Mountain

If you know a child that loves bugs and water, Oak Mountain State Park is hosting an event they’ll be sure to enjoy. 

Park naturalist Emily Cook will lead the event, which helps children and adults alike learn what lives in the waters at the park. Depending on the Alabama summer weather, Cook said she may look in the creek instead, for macro invertebrate and insect larvae. 

“This event open for anybody that really wants to get in the lake and get wet and learn about what’s found in there,” Cook said. “I’ll talk about how finding certain insects can tell us if the water is clean or polluted.”

Some of the insects and amphibians found in the water include sunflies, mayflies, salamanders and frogs. 

“There are certain insects that will lay their eggs in the water,” Cook said. “Dragonflies are flying insects, but they lay their eggs to develop in a water system that is clean. Leeches love polluted water but can survive in clean water as well. If I found a bunch of leeches I’d know water I wouldn’t want to be in.”

The crowd, who is usually made up of younger children and their parents, should wear water-friendly shoes and be prepared to get wet.

In addition to finding out the cleanliness of the water, participants can also catch their findings in a net. 

The Lake Stomp will take place the last weekend before most area schools start, Saturday, August 8 at 10 a.m. The event is free with a paid park admission: $4 ages 12 and up, $1 children 6-11 and under age 5 is free.