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Health Alert Issued at SE Nebraska Lakes
Two Southeast Nebraska Lakes are on Health Alert for toxic blue-green algae.
The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and Nebraska Health Department report Rockford Lake southeast of Beatrice in Gage County and Swan Creek Lake #5 near Tobias, in Saline County have been placed on the health alert list.
DEQ Aquatic Biologist Dave Schumacher (SHOE-mocker) talks about the conditions at Rockford Lake, an older, typically more turbid reservoir. (play audio :35 “algae growth.”)
Schumacher says conditions are similar for algae blooms at Swan Creek Lake #5 and Rockford Lake. (play audio :21 “in the water column.”)
During alerts, swimming beaches are closed, but boating and other recreational activities are allowed. Officials urge people not to have prolonged contact with the water during the health alerts.
Readings above 20 parts-per-billion of microcystin over a two-week period prompt the issuance of a health alert for blue-green algae. The latest measurement at Rockford Lake was 31.46 parts per billion. At Swan Lake #5, the latest reading was 24.09 parts-per-billion.
© Nebraska Radio Network
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