Over 1 million readers this year!

Blue-Green Algae Reported at Keyhole

 

The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has issued a recreational use advisory for Keyhole Reservoir due to a harmful cyanobacterial bloom (HCB).

A Sept. 4 satellite image from the Cyanobacteria Assessment Network identified elevated densities of blue-green algae covering a large portion of Keyhole Reservoir, according to the DEQ alert. However, a press release from the Wyoming State Parks advises the section of Keyhole that is affected is where Wind Creek intersects with Old Sundance Road only.

HCBs are associated with irritants that may pose health risks to people, pets, and livestock.

Lakes and reservoirs under an advisory are not closed. But the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) and Livestock Board both recommend avoiding contact with water in the vicinity of the bloom, do not ingest water from the bloom, and rinse fish with clean water and only eat the fillet portion.

Blue-green algae typically occur in shallow, stagnant water as temperatures rise in late summer. Advisories are issued by the WDH when the agency deems cell densities may pose health risks.

Click here for a list of FAQs related to HCBs.

In addition to the advisory at Keyhole, three other advisories were issued for bodies of water in Lincoln County.

Related