LINCOLN, Neb. – Pawnee Lake near Emerald is again under a health alert due to unacceptable levels of toxic algae present in the lake. When algae levels exceed 20 parts per billion in the water, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issues a health alert for the area. That means those areas have been temporarily closed to swimming and wading, according to Jim Carney, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commissions regional parks manager.

Two other Nebraska lakes also remain on health alert status. They are Conestoga Lake near Denton and Kirkman’s Cove Lake near Humboldt. 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.

Bluestem Reservoir near Sprague, Maskenthine Reservoir near Stanton, Iron Horse Reservoir near DuBois and Lake North near Columbus have been removed from health alert status.

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 ppb for two consecutive weeks.

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