PHOTOS: Harmful algal blooms have been reported in three other Wyoming waters, including Flaming Gorge

Flaming Gorge Reservoir (Wyoming DEQ)

CASPER, Wyoming – The presence of harmful algal blooms was confirmed in a total of 15 bodies of water in Wyoming on Tuesday, August 25, with three additional lakes or ponds being investigated.

The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality reported confirmation of the presence of harmful algal blooms in the Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Brooks Lake, and Granite Springs Reservoir in the past few days.

Granite Springs Reservoir (Wyoming DEQ)

Recreational use notices based on the confirmed presence of cyanobacterial blooms are in effect in the following Wyoming lakes or reservoirs:

• Flaming Gorge Reservoir
• Brooks Lake
• Granite Springs Reservoir
• Pathfinder Reservoir
• Lower North Crow Reservoir
• Big Sandy Reservoir
• Eden reservoir
• Woodruff Narrows Reservoir
• Boysen reservoir
• Ocean lake
• Saratoga lake
• Wheatland Reservoir # 3
• Leazenby Lake
• Seminoe reservoir
• Keyhole Reservoir

The Wyoming DEQ is also investigating possible harmful algal blooms in:

• Jackson Lake
• Gillette fishing lake
• Huck Finn pond

Details of the blooms in each body of water are available on the Harmful Cyanobacterial Bloom (HCB) Advisories in Wyoming Waters website.

“HCBs are also known as harmful algal blooms (HABs) because cyanobacteria are commonly known as blue-green algae,” explains the Wyoming DEQ. “The Ministry of Health is issuing notices to inform the public that areas where HCBs are present may pose health risks to humans and animals.”

Brooks Lake (Wyoming DEQ)

“Lakes and reservoirs that are subject to a recommendation for recreational use will not be closed because HCBs may only be present in certain areas of the body of water and conditions can change frequently. The recommendation remains in place until flowering has completely subsided and cyanotoxin levels are below the recreational use thresholds set out in the Wyoming HCB Action Plan or until the primary recreational season ends on September 30th, whichever comes first. “

Individuals encountering potentially harmful blooms receive the following recommendations from the Wyoming DEQ and Wyoming Livestock Board:

• Avoid contact with water near the flower, especially in areas where cyanobacteria are dense and form scum.
• Do not ingest water from the flower. Cooking, filtering, and / or other treatments will not remove toxins.
• Rinse the fish with clean water and only eat the fillet portion.
• Avoid splashing water from the flower.
• Do not allow pets or farm animals to drink water, eat flower material, or lick fur after contact near the flower.
• If a flower comes in contact with humans, pets, or farm animals, rinse them with clean water as soon as possible and contact a doctor or veterinarian.

Questions about health effects and advice on recreational use can be directed to Dr. Karl Musgrave, State Environmental Health Epidemiologist / State Public Health Veterinary, Wyoming Department of Health, at [email protected] or (307) 777-5825.

Questions about sampling cyanobacteria can be directed to Michael Thomas, Natural Resource Analyst, Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, at [email protected] or (307) 777-2073, or Lindsay Patterson, Surface Water Quality Standards Coordinator, Wyoming Department of. Environmental Quality, at [email protected] or (307) 777-7079.

Wyoming DEQ

Keyhole Reservoir (Wyoming DEQ)Pathfinder Reservoir (Wyoming DEQ)Eden Reservoir (Wyoming DEQ)Big Sandy Reservoir (Wyoming DEQ)Lower North Crow Reservoir (Wyoming DEQ)Saratoga Lake (Wyoming DEQ)Leazenby Lake (Hundred Springs Reservoir) (Wyoming DEQ)Wheatland Reservoir # 3 (Wyoming DEQ)Ocean Lake (Wyoming DEQ)Seminoe Reservoir (Wyoming DEQ)Boysen Reservoir (Wyoming DEQ)Woodruff Narrows (Wyoming DEQ)

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