Courtesy Photo / State of Nebraska
News Channel Nebraska
More warnings have been issued for harmful algae in northeast Nebraska.
The state issued a health alert for harmful algal blooms, also known as toxic blue-green algae, at Maskenthine Reservoir in Stanton County and Willow Creek Reservoir in Pierce County.
Willow Creek had already been previously on alert. Iron Horse Trail Lake in Pawnee County, Duck Creek Lake in Nemaha County, and Maple Creek Recreation Area Lake in Colfax County have been removed from health alert.
Samples taken earlier this week at the lakes on alert measured above the threshold of 8 parts per billion of total microcystin, which is a toxin released by certain strains of blue-green algae.
When a health alert is issued, signs are posted to advise the public to use caution, and designated swimming beaches are closed during the alert. Recreational boating and fishing are permitted, but the public is advised to use caution and avoid exposure to the water, particularly avoiding any activity that could lead to swallowing the water. NDEE advises people to keep pets away from the water. People can still use the public areas for camping, picnics and other outdoor activities.
Weekly sampling has been conducted at 53 public lakes since the first week of May. The lakes will continue to be monitored weekly through the end of September. Sampling results for HAB and bacteria will be updated every Friday and posted on NDEE’s website. The state’s monitoring is conducted at public lakes with swimming beaches and high public activity. The toxic algae may also be present in other lakes in Nebraska that are not tested, so the public should use caution if they see signs of algal blooms, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
