Nebraskaland Magazine
LINCOLN – A health advisory is in effect for lakes at four Nebraska state recreation areas.
During testing earlier this week, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) detected elevated levels of toxic algae at Rockford Lake in Gage County, Swan Creek Lake No. 5A at Willard L. Meyer Recreation Area in Saline County, and at Pawnee Lake in Lancaster County.
While elevated algae levels have been recorded throughout the summer at Willow Creek Lake in Pierce County, levels were within the normal range during the most recent round of testing. However, a health advisory will remain in effect until Oct. 8.
Visitors to these lakes are advised to avoid full-body contact activities such as swimming, wading, skiing, jet skiing, etc. Non-contact activities such as boating, fishing, and camping are OK.
Additionally, testing detected elevated levels of E. coli bacteria at Lewis and Clark Reservoir in Knox County. No activities are prohibited as a result of E. coli levels, though visitors should be aware of the elevated levels.
More information on algae levels at lakes statewide can be found on the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality website, deq.state.ne.us.
