This story cites some interesting accounts, but I think the deal breaker for this legend is that almost all the lakes in OK are man made through damming. The only connection OK has to the ocean that I can think where some sea creature could get into a lake there would be to swim all the way up the Mississippi river to the Arkansas tributary. I'm not sure how it would get into a lake from there. Maybe it could be some prehistoric species leftover from when OK used to be underwater millions of years ago, but that's a BIG stretch. Then again, it could always be ALIENS (I'm not saying it was aliens...but it was ALIENS!) .
Not sure about Oklahoma, but most of the west, back when there were more beavers had huge lakes that disappeared when the dam building beavers disappeared. A whole eco system of animals and plants faded with those natural lakes and ponds. Could one of those species casualties been an octopus like animal? Possible. Such a creature would be unlikely to leave any identifiable remains.
For me, a giant carnivorous fish would be monster enough
A previous natural lake would be location identified by whatever manmade lake currently exists closest.
This story cites some interesting accounts, but I think the deal breaker for this legend is that almost all the lakes in OK are man made through damming. The only connection OK has to the ocean that I can think where some sea creature could get into a lake there would be to swim all the way up the Mississippi river to the Arkansas tributary. I'm not sure how it would get into a lake from there. Maybe it could be some prehistoric species leftover from when OK used to be underwater millions of years ago, but that's a BIG stretch. Then again, it could always be ALIENS (I'm not saying it was aliens...but it was ALIENS!) .
Aliens are always on the table 😂
Wonderful detective work, Gary. Love this story and your analysis. Will share with my "monster" friends.
Appreciate it, Ricky!
Not sure about Oklahoma, but most of the west, back when there were more beavers had huge lakes that disappeared when the dam building beavers disappeared. A whole eco system of animals and plants faded with those natural lakes and ponds. Could one of those species casualties been an octopus like animal? Possible. Such a creature would be unlikely to leave any identifiable remains.
For me, a giant carnivorous fish would be monster enough
A previous natural lake would be location identified by whatever manmade lake currently exists closest.
Oh I agree, Fran! The giant gar are enough to keep me out of the lake!