Stay Safe: Discover the Three Nebraska Lakes Under Health Alert for Toxic Blue-Green Algae

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska has raised a health alert for Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) at three local lakes. These include Maskenthine Reservoir in Stanton County, Kirkman’s Cove Lake in Richardson County, and Glenn Cunningham Lake in Douglas County, which continues to be monitored after last week’s alert.

Recent water samples show toxin levels above safe limits. Specifically, they surpassed eight parts per billion of total microcystin, a harmful substance produced by certain blue-green algae. When a lake is under health alert, warning signs are posted, and swimming areas are closed. While fishing and boating are allowed, it’s crucial for people to avoid water contact to prevent ingestion. Pet owners should also keep their animals away from the water.

Despite these warnings, areas around the lakes are still open for activities like camping and picnicking.

Nebraska officials have been sampling 56 public lakes since early May, with monitoring continuing weekly until the end of September. For real-time updates, you can check the interactive beach watch map from the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy and Environment (DWEE) here. Reports on HABs and other bacteria are updated every Friday on the DWEE website.

It’s important to note that HABs can develop quickly, even during the gap between sampling and reporting. Thus, caution is advised if you spot algal blooms. Similar conditions could affect other lakes not currently monitored.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), exposure to HABs can lead to serious health issues such as stomach pain, respiratory problems, and even liver damage. Symptoms vary by individual, underlining the importance of vigilance when near affected waters.

For further guidance on identifying HABs and understanding their impacts, check the DWEE HAB fact sheet here.

Stay informed and prioritize safety during lake visits!

Source link

nebraska,lakes,health alert,HAB,harmful algal blooms,blue-green algae,microcystin,toxic,Nebraska Department of Water, Energy and Environment,DWEE,Maskenthine Reservoir,Kirkman’s Cove Lake,Glenn Cunningham Lake