Toxic algae has been confirmed in Willow Creek Lake in Pierce County, Nebraska.  When ingested, blue green algae can cause flu like symptoms for people and has been known to kills small dogs.  Brian McManus with the Department of Environmental Quality says that this algae grows best after extended periods of heat.  He says the health warnings that are put on confirmed lakes last for at least two weeks after the first toxic reading…

 

McManus says the alert bans swimming in lakes that have high levels of the toxin, but boating and fishing activities can still continue.  He says that eating fish from these lakes does not pose any health risk, but handling the fish should be done carefully…

 

More information and a list of sampling results with blue green algae warnings can be found at the department’s website.