LINCOLN, Neb. (Press launch) – The state has issued well being alerts for Harmful Algal Blooms, also called poisonous blue-green algae, at Willow Creek Reservoir in Pierce County and Glenn Cunningham Lake in Douglas County.

Samples taken earlier this week at these lakes measured above the edge of 8 elements per billion of whole 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 throughout the alert. Recreational 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 would result in swallowing the water. Do not let pets get within the water or drink from the lake. People can nonetheless use the general public areas for tenting, picnics and different outside actions.

Weekly sampling has been carried out at 55 public lake websites for the reason that first week of May. The lakes will proceed to be monitored weekly by way of the tip of September. To view the weekly information for the lakes sampled, go to https://deq-iis.ne.gov/zs/bw/

The state’s monitoring is carried out early within the week at public lakes with swimming seashores and excessive public exercise. Sampling outcomes for HAB and micro organism are up to date each Friday and posted on the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy’s web site, http://dee.ne.gov. Harmful Algal Blooms could doubtlessly develop within the time between pattern assortment and pattern reporting, so the general public ought to use warning in the event that they see indicators of algal blooms. HAB may be current in different lakes in Nebraska that aren’t sampled. For extra details about what to search for, potential well being results from HAB, and steps to keep away from publicity, please check with the HAB Fact Sheet on NDEE’s web site at http://deq.ne.gov/NDEQProg.nsf/OnWeb/ENV042607.

NDEE’s sampling companions embody the Central District Health Department, Nebraska Public Power District, Upper Republican Natural Resources District, Lower Republican NRD, South Platte NRD, Middle Niobrara NRD, Lower Loup NRD, Nemaha NRD, Lower Elkhorn NRD and the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

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