A new health alert is in effect at
Swan Creek Lake #5A (Willard L. Meyer Recreation Area) in Saline County. Testing at this lake and two others revealed high amounts of toxin released by blue-green algae.
Kirkman's Cove in Richardson County and Big Indian Creek Lake in Gage County were placed on alert last week and will continue for at least two more weeks, because
lakes that are on health alert must have two consecutive weeks of readings
below the threshold before the alert is discontinued.
Weekly sampling has been conducted at 49 public lakes
in Nebraska since the beginning of May. Samples taken earlier this week
at Big Indian Creek Lake, Kirkman's Cove and Swan Creek 5A were above the
state's health alert threshold of 20 parts per billion (ppb) of total
microcystin (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 avoid activities that could involve accidental ingestion
of water and to avoid full immersion in water. People can still use the
public areas for camping, picnics and other outdoor activities.
The lakes will continue to be monitored weekly
throughout the 2012 recreational season. Sampling results for toxic algae
and bacteria will be updated every Friday and posted on NDEQ's web site, http://deq.ne.gov/.
