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Health alerts issued at 2 Nebraska lakes

CHI Health coronavirus update
Posted at 2:35 PM, Sep 23, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-23 15:37:45-04

The state has issued a health alert this week at Rockford Lake in Gage County, and Willow Creek Lake in Pierce County.

The advisory at Big Indian Creek Lake in Gage County remains, but the alert for Iron Horse Trail Lake In Pawnee County is over.

Samples taken earlier this week at Rockford Lake and Big Indian Creek Lake  had blue-green algae levels above the state’s health alert threshold.

 Lakes on health alert must have two consecutive weeks of readings below the state’s threshold of about 20 parts per billion before the alert is canceled.  

The public is advised to avoid any activities that involve accidental ingestion of water or full immersion.

Pets owners should refrain from letting animals get into the water or drink from the water  as well.

People can still use the area for camping and other outdoor activties.

50 public lakes in Nebraska have been monitored weekly since the beginning of May and will continue throughout the last week of September.

Sampling results for toxic algae and bacteria will be updated every Friday and posted on NDEQ’s web site, http://deq.ne.gov