Health warning issued for Iron Horse Trail Lake and Maskenthine Reservoir

LincolnNE – The state of Nebraska has issued a health alert for harmful algal blooms (HAB), also known as toxic blue-green algae, at Iron Horse Trail Lake in Pawnee County and at Maskenthine Reservoir in Stanton County.

Samples taken from the affected lakes earlier this week showed total levels of over eight parts per billion (ppb) of microcystin, a toxin released by certain strains of blue-green algae.

When a health alert is issued, signs will be posted warning the public to use caution, and designated swimming beaches will be closed during the alert. Recreational boating and fishing are permitted, but the public is advised to use caution and avoid contact with the water, especially any activity that could result in ingestion of the water. Do not allow pets to enter or drink from the water in the lake. People can still use public areas for camping, picnicking, and other outdoor activities.

Weekly sampling has been taking place at 55 public lakes since the first week of May. The lakes will continue to be monitored weekly through the end of September. Weekly data for sampled lakes can be found at https://deq-iis.ne.gov/zs/bw/.

State monitoring is conducted early in the week at public lakes with swimming beaches and high levels of public traffic. Sampling results for HAB and bacteria are updated every Friday and posted on the NDEE website at http://dee.ne.gov. HAB may develop during the time between sampling and sample reporting, so the public should be cautious of any signs of algal blooms. HAB may also be present in other Nebraska lakes that are not sampled. For more information on what to look for, the health effects HAB may have, and how to avoid exposure, see the HAB fact sheet on the NDEE website at http://dee.ne.gov/NDEQProg.nsf/OnWeb/ENV042607.

NDEE sampling partners include 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.