Harmful Algal Blooms alert issued for three Nebraska lakes

LINCOLN, Neb. (Press Launch) – The state has issued a well being alert for Dangerous Algal Blooms (HAB), also called poisonous blue-green algae, at Willow Creek Reservoir in Pierce County, Maskenthine Reservoir in Stanton County, and Iron Horse Path Lake (Wildlife Administration Space) in Pawnee County.

Each Maskenthine Reservoir and Willow Creek Reservoir stay on well being alert this week after additionally being on alert final week.

Samples taken earlier this week on the lakes on alert measure above the edge of 8 elements per billion (ppb) of complete microcystin, which is a toxin launched by sure strains of blue-green algae.

When a well being alert is issued, indicators are posted to advise the general public to make use of warning, and designated swimming seashores are closed through the alert. Leisure boating and fishing are permitted, however the public is suggested to make use of warning and keep away from publicity to the water, notably avoiding any exercise that might result in swallowing the water. Don’t let pets get within the water or drink from the lake. Individuals can nonetheless use the general public areas for tenting, picnics and different out of doors actions.

Weekly sampling has been carried out at 54 public lake websites for the reason that first week of Might. The lakes will proceed to be monitored weekly via the top of September. Sampling outcomes for HAB and micro organism shall be up to date each Friday and posted on NDEE’s web site, http://dee.ne.gov. The state’s monitoring is carried out at public lakes with swimming seashores and excessive public exercise. HAB may additionally be current in different lakes in Nebraska that aren’t examined, so the general public ought to use warning in the event that they see indicators of algal blooms.

For extra details about what to search for, potential well being results from HAB and steps to keep away from publicity, please seek advice from the next Reality Sheet. To view the weekly information for the lakes sampled, go to https://deq-iis.ne.gov/zs/bw/.

NDEE’s sampling companions embrace the Central District Well being Division, Nebraska Public Energy District, Higher Republican Pure Assets District, Decrease Republican NRD, South Platte NRD, Center Niobrara NRD, Decrease Loup NRD, Nemaha NRD, Decrease Elkhorn NRD and the USA Military Corps of Engineers.

Copyright 2022 KNEP. All rights reserved.