Conestoga taken off algae danger list - for now

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by cara pesek

Conestoga Reservoir near Denton has been deemed safe for swimming, but that doesn't mean it will stay that way, state officials said Friday.

Levels of toxic blue-green algae dropped this week at the lake, prompting health officials to reopen it, said Brian McManus, spokesman for the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality.

Hanson Lake 4 and Fremont Lake 20 were also reopened.

But blue-green algae levels can vary from one week to the next, McManus said.

So although the lake is safe for swimming and other water sports this week, next week could be a different story.

"This is a pretty unpredictable set of natural circumstances," he said.

The state has been testing blue-green algae levels in lakes throughout the state since July, when more than 40 people became sick after swimming in Pawnee Lake near Emerald.

Exposure to the algae can cause vomiting, diarrhea, nasal congestion, irritated eyes and rash.

Several area lakes -Pawnee Lake, Swan Creek Reservoir 5A near Tobias, Wedgewood Lake in Lincoln, Iron Horse Trail near DuBois and Wagon Train Reservoir near Hickman - remained closed after this week's round of tests.

The unusually high algae levels have resulted in far fewer people venturing to the state's recreational lakes this summer, said Jim Fuller of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

"It's had a pretty profound impact," he said.

Officials don't know why there's so much algae this year.

It could be higher phosphorous levels, McManus said. It could be the unseasonably cool weather. It could be lower water levels left by drought. It could be a combination of several things, he said.

It's not something the state has studied in the past, McManus said, though that's changing.

The state will continue testing algae levels at various lakes around the state, he said.

Health officials also have looked at possible remedies, he said, although it's probably too late for this season.

Using chemicals to kill the algae could cause the plants to release more toxins into the water, he said.

In future years, though, he said, there may be some sort of cure.

Until then, Fuller said, there's not a lot that can be done.

"It's just a part of nature,"he said. "We just have to live with it, I guess."

Reach Cara Pesek at 473-7361 or cpesek@;journalstar.com.