Harmful bloom advisories at Glendo, Flaming Gorge, Sloan Lake; Pathfinder, Seminoe, Fontanelle under investigation

A harmful algae bloom advisory was issued at Glendo Reservoir on Aug. 4. (Photo via Wyoming Harmful Cyanobacterial Bloom website)

CASPER, Wyo. — A toxin advisory is in effect at Goshen Hole Reservoir, and 21 other Wyoming waterbodies are under harmful algae bloom advisories as of Monday, Aug. 8, according to an online advisories map of the state.

Eight other waterbodies, including Pathfinder and Seminoe Reservoirs, are under investigation for the possible presence of harmful cyanobacterial blooms.

Harmful cyanobacterial blooms, also known as blue-green algae blooms, can pose health risks to people, pets and livestock, according to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. Wyoming DEQ works with other agencies to test for and address harmful algae bloom risks in the state.

The Wyoming Department of Health issues harmful algae bloom advisories when cyanobacterial blooms are present in a waterbody. The WDH issues toxin advisories when toxin concentrations exceed recreational thresholds. Below are the advisories in effect in Wyoming as of Monday:

Toxin Advisories

  • Goshen Hole Reservoir
    • June 28
    • Harmful bloom advisory issued July 28
    • Management Agency: Wyoming Game and Fish Department

Harmful Bloom Advisories

  • Glendo Reservoir
    • Management Agency: Wyoming State Parks
  • Flaming Gorge Reservoir
    • Date issued: Aug 4
    • Management Agency: US Forest Service – Ashley National Forest
  • Sloan Lake
    • Management Agency: City of Cheyenne
  • Upper Jade Lake
    • Management Agency: US Forest Service – Shoshone National Forest
  • Keyhole Reservoir
    • Management Agency: Wyoming State Parks
  • Saratoga Lake
    • Management Agency: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
  • Diamond Lake (Bosler Reservoir)
    • Management Agency: Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Wheatland Irrigation District
  • West Granite Springs Reservoir
    • Date issued: July 28
    • Management Agency: Wyoming State Parks
  • Wheatland Reservoir No. 3
    • Management Agency: Wheatland Irrigation District, Wyoming Game and Fish Department
  • Brooks Lake and Upper Brooks Lake
    • Date issued: July 26
    • Management Agency: US Forest Service – Shoshone National Forest
  • rainbow lake
    • Management Agency: US Forest Service – Shoshone National Forest
  • Boysen reservoir
    • Date issued: July 21
    • Management agency: Wyoming State Parks
  • Toltec Reservoir
    • Date issued: July 20
    • Management agency: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
  • Leazenby Lake (Hundred Springs Reservoir)
    • Date issued: July 20
    • Management agency: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
  • Woodruff Narrows Reservoir
    • Date issued: July 20
    • Management agency: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
  • Miller Lake
    • Date issued: July 19
    • Management Agency: US Forest Service – Medicine Bow National Forest
  • Big Sandy Reservoir
    • Date issued: July 14
    • Management agency: Bureau of Reclamations
  • Eden reservoir
    • Date issued: July 14
    • Management agency: Bureau of Reclamations
  • Goshen Hole Reservoir
    • Date issued: June 28
    • Management agency: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
  • Gillette Fishing Lake
    • Date issued: June 8
    • Management agency: Gillette Public Works Department

Under Investigation

Eight waterbodies are under investigation after reports of possible blooms, according to the Wyoming Harmful Cyanobacterial Bloom Advisory website:

  • Pathfinder Reservoir
    • Status: “Elevated cyanobacterial cell densities were detected in the CyAN satellite weekly composite from July 24th through July 30th. DEQ will conduct HCB monitoring at Pathfinder Reservoir during the week of August 21st.”
  • Seminoe Reservoir
    • Report date: Aug 2
    • Status: “Elevated cyanobacterial cell densities were detected in the CyAN satellite weekly composite from July 24th through July 30th. DEQ plans to conduct HCB monitoring at Seminoe Reservoir during the week of August 21st.”
  • Fontanel reservoir
    • Report date: Aug 2
    • Status: “Elevated cyanobacterial cell densities were detected in the CyAN satellite weekly composite from July 24th through July 30th. DEQ plans to conduct HCB monitoring at Fontenelle Reservoir during the week of August 8th.”
  • Sheep Lake
    • Report date: Aug 2
    • Status: DEQ and the US Forest Service – Medicine Bow National Forest are coordinating an investigation.
  • Hutton Lake
    • Report date: July 22
    • Status: DEQ has sampled the lake with results pending.
  • rainbow lake
    • Report date: July 22
    • Status: Bloom reported to DEQ by the Shoshone Forest Service.
  • Scout’s Pond
    • Report date: July 22
    • Status: Bloom reported to DEQ by the Shoshone Forest Service. The Forest Service plans to investigate and collect samples for analysis.
  • Virgin Lake
    • Report date: July 22
    • Status: Bloom reported to DEQ by the Shoshone Forest Service.

Bake

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