LINCOLN – The state of Nebraska has issued a health alert for Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB), also known as toxic blue-green algae, at Maple Creek Recreation Area Lake in Colfax County.
Calamus Reservoir in Garfield County has been removed from health alert after being on alert last week.
Samples taken earlier this week at the lake on alert measure above the threshold of eight parts per billion (ppb) 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. Do not let pets get in the water or drink from the lake. People can still use the public areas for camping, picnics, and other outdoor activities.
Weekly sampling has been conducted at 56 public lake sites since the first week of May. The lakes will continue to be monitored weekly
through the end of September. To view the weekly data for the lakes sampled, go to https://deq-iis.ne.gov/zs/bw/.
