09/18/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/18/2024 10:20
CHEYENNE, Wyo - Although fewer people are recreating in Wyoming's lakes and reservoirs this fall as water and air temperatures decrease, the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ), Wyoming Department of Health (WDH), Wyoming Livestock Board (WLB), and local, state, and federal partners want to remind people, including hunters and fisherman, to continue to avoid and keep animals away from harmful cyanobacterial blooms (HCBs) that may be present. Although most blooms occur during the warmer months and blooms are expected to dissipate as temperatures decrease, some types of cyanobacteria are known to persist in freezing conditions and may continue to pose health risks to people and animals.
Recreational use advisories continue to be in place for a number of waterbodies, as shown on the Wyoming HCB advisory webmap. As outlined in the Action Plan, advisories will remain in place until blooms have fully dissipated and cyanotoxin concentrations are below recreational use thresholds or December 31st, whichever comes first. The webmap will be updated as the status of advisories change. Listserv notices will be sent in the event any new recreational use advisories are issued.
For waterbodies with blooms, the WDH and WLB continue to recommend the following:
Questions about health effects and recreational use advisories can be directed to Courtney Tillman, Surveillance Epidemiologist, WDH, at [email protected] or (877) 996-9000. For more information on HCBs and recreational use advisories in Wyoming, visit WyoHCBs.org.