Algae advisory issued for Kirkman's Cove
The swimming beach at Kirkman's Cove, a popular recreation area near Humboldt, is closed because of toxic blue-green algae.
Bob Hilske, manager of the Nemaha Natural Resources District, said he closed the beach Friday as a precaution after some of his staff visited the 160-acre lake and saw increasing concentrations of algae in the beach area.
Exposure to toxins produced by blue-green algae can irritate the skin and cause gastrointestinal illness and liver disease if a person drinks contaminated water.
Signs have been posted at the NRD-owned recreation area warning visitors of the toxic algae discovered near the beach. Visitors are advised to keep children and pets away from the water. Hilske said he has not heard of any health problems so far.
Water samples were taken Monday to confirm the algae concentrations. Hilske said those test results should be done by the end of the week.
The rest of Kirkman's Cove is open to public use and boats and fishing are not restricted. However, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission officials advise catch-and-release fishing since toxins created by the algae can accumulate in the organs of fish.
The state Department of Environmental Quality has tested more than 40 lakes across Nebraska for toxic blue-green algae this summer, said DEQ spokesman Brian McManus, and has issued health advisories or alerts for more than two dozen. Some experts believe the outbreak may be related to the continuing drought.
Five lakes are under a health alert designation, meaning that the public should avoid full-body recreational activities such as swimming or water skiing. Those lakes are: Carter Lake near downtown Omaha, Iron Horse Trail Lake near DuBois, Pawnee Reservoir near Emerald, Swan Creek Reservoir No. 5A near Tobias and Wedgewood Lake in Lincoln.
Iron Horse Trail Lake near DuBois is the only other Nemaha NRD-owned lake that has had blue-green algae problems this summer. Hilske said it has been closed about a month.
NRD staff continues to monitor the district's other two lakes - Wirth Brothers near Tecumseh and Prairie Owl Recreation Area near Dunbar. Hilske said those lakes have shown no signs of the toxic algae.
Reach Algis J. Laukaitis at 4783-7243 or alaukaitis@journalstar.com.
Bob Hilske, manager of the Nemaha Natural Resources District, said he closed the beach Friday as a precaution after some of his staff visited the 160-acre lake and saw increasing concentrations of algae in the beach area.
Exposure to toxins produced by blue-green algae can irritate the skin and cause gastrointestinal illness and liver disease if a person drinks contaminated water.
Signs have been posted at the NRD-owned recreation area warning visitors of the toxic algae discovered near the beach. Visitors are advised to keep children and pets away from the water. Hilske said he has not heard of any health problems so far.
Water samples were taken Monday to confirm the algae concentrations. Hilske said those test results should be done by the end of the week.
The rest of Kirkman's Cove is open to public use and boats and fishing are not restricted. However, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission officials advise catch-and-release fishing since toxins created by the algae can accumulate in the organs of fish.
The state Department of Environmental Quality has tested more than 40 lakes across Nebraska for toxic blue-green algae this summer, said DEQ spokesman Brian McManus, and has issued health advisories or alerts for more than two dozen. Some experts believe the outbreak may be related to the continuing drought.
Five lakes are under a health alert designation, meaning that the public should avoid full-body recreational activities such as swimming or water skiing. Those lakes are: Carter Lake near downtown Omaha, Iron Horse Trail Lake near DuBois, Pawnee Reservoir near Emerald, Swan Creek Reservoir No. 5A near Tobias and Wedgewood Lake in Lincoln.
Iron Horse Trail Lake near DuBois is the only other Nemaha NRD-owned lake that has had blue-green algae problems this summer. Hilske said it has been closed about a month.
NRD staff continues to monitor the district's other two lakes - Wirth Brothers near Tecumseh and Prairie Owl Recreation Area near Dunbar. Hilske said those lakes have shown no signs of the toxic algae.
Reach Algis J. Laukaitis at 4783-7243 or alaukaitis@journalstar.com.
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