08/22/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 08/22/2024 16:56
Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality | view as a webpage |
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New Harmful Cyanobacterial Bloom (HCB) Recreational Use AdvisoriesA harmful cyanobacterial bloom (HCB) recreational use Bloom Advisory has been issued for Virgin Lake, Scouts Pond, Upper Brooks Lake, and Rainbow Lake on Burroughs Loop.The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) works cooperatively with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality to issue recreational use advisories when cyanobacterial cell densities or cyanotoxin concentrations pose a risk to people engaging in swimming or similar water contact activities in areas where cyanobacterial blooms occur. HCBs may also pose a health risk to animals. The WDH is working directly with resource management agencies to ensure signs are posted at the reservoir. Additional details regarding advisories and other HCB resources can be found at WyoHCBs.org. Bloom advisories are issued when a HCB is present and cyanotoxins may be present. Toxin advisories are issued when cyanotoxins exceed recreational thresholds. Waterbodies under an advisory are not closed since HCBs may only be present in certain areas and conditions can change frequently. Advisories will remain in place until blooms have fully dissipated and cyanotoxin concentrations are below recreational use thresholds identified in Wyoming's HCB Action Plan. If you encounter a potential HCB, the Wyoming Department of Health and the Wyoming Livestock Board recommend the following:
Questions about health effects and recreational use advisories can be directed to Courtney Tillman, Surveillance Epidemiologist, Wyoming Department of Health, at [email protected] or (307) 777-5522. Questions regarding cyanobacteria sampling can be directed to Chloe Schaub, Natural Resource Analyst, Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, at [email protected] or (307) 777-2073. Current HCB Recreational Use Advisories*
*There may be additional waterbodies with HCBs that WDH and WDEQ are not aware of. Please report potential blooms to WDEQ and HCB-related illnesses to WDH. |
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