LINCOLN, Neb. – The east and west lakes at Alexandria State Recreation Area near Alexandria are again open for swimming and wading after tests by the Department of Environmental Quality showed the level of the toxin microcystin was again below the level that make the water unsafe for full-bodied recreational activities. It was the second consecutive week of lower toxin levels, thereby making the health alerts at the lakes unnecessary, according to Jim Carney, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commissions central regional parks manager.

Six other Nebraska lakes remain on health alert status. They are Bluestem Lake near Sprague, Conestoga Lake near Denton, Maskenthine Reservoir near Stanton; Kirkmans Cove Lake near Humboldt, Lake North near Columbus and Iron Horse Trail Lake near DuBois. Swimming, wading and water-skiing are discouraged in lakes under health alert status and visitors are encouraged to be especially careful to keep pets and small children out of the water. Fishing and boating are permitted.

The issuance of a health alert means the state believes that the level of toxins in the water make it unsafe for full-body recreational activities such as swimming. Lakes under health alert are sampled weekly by DEQ and the health alert stays in effect until the level of toxins in the water stays below 20 parts per billion for two consecutive weeks.

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