The discovery of toxic blue-green algae has prompted state officials to issue a health alert for Holmes Lake in southeast Lincoln.
City officials are also urging dog owners to keep their pets out of Antelope Creek in the adjacent Rickman's Run dog park as a result.
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services said Friday that samples taken earlier in the week at Holmes Lake 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.)
The alert will continue for at least two more weeks, because lakes must have two consecutive weeks of readings below the threshold before an alert is discontinued.
Swimming beaches are closed at lakes while they are under alert, and signs are posted advising the public to use caution. Recreational boating and fishing are still allowed, but people and pets should avoid exposure to the water, especially drinking.
People are also reading…
Kirkman’s Cove in Richardson County and Maple Creek Lake in Colfax County also remain under alert. Those lakes did not test high for microcystin this week, but will remain on alert for at least one more week.