Beach Watch

Sampling Week:

Current Lakes on HAB* Health Alert

None! 😎

None

These lakes meet or exceed (or have exceeded) the current concentration threshold of 8 parts-per-billion (ppb) of the toxin, Microcystin, which is associated with the presence of harmful algal blooms. These lakes will remain on Health Alert until a new sample tests below 8 ppb. The reading that caused the health alert is shown in italics if the current week reading is below the threshold.

Lakes with high E. coli bacteria

No lakes have high E. coli readings for this week. (235 colonies per 100ml of water is considered "high.")

Results for last week - no results for this week yet.

Select a lake
All lakes

All Sampled Lakes

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Click lake name to see current year sampling history.

Harmful algal blooms and E. coli sampling

NDEE conducts weekly sampling for Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), also known as toxic blue-green algae, and E. coli bacteria at 50 public recreational lakes (55 sites in all) across Nebraska from May through September and these results are updated weekly. Samples are typically collected on Monday and results are posted on the website on Friday.

Current Lake(s) on Health Alert: These are lakes that have been placed on Health Alert as a result of their most recent sample exceeding 8 parts per billion (ppb) for the HAB toxin, microcystin. EPA has recommended the 8 ppb microcystin concentration as the basis for swimming advisories in recreational waters to protect the public. When a beach is on Health Alert, it is recommended that no contact with the water occur.

Tap or click a row in the table to view a map of the lake, and its sampling history for microcystin and E. coli.

High bacteria: High readings of E. coli bacteria can also be a health concern; samples above 235 colonies per 100 ml water are considered high. Incidental ingestion of water from lakes that have recently tested high significantly increases the chance of an illness associated with ingestion of E. coli bacteria. Unlike with dangerous levels of HABs, signs are not specifically posted, and beaches are not closed for high bacteria levels. This is primarily because bacteria values change quickly while microcystin levels are more persistent and can remain for several weeks. This bacteria information, rather, is provided to allow the public to make their own decision on whether to use the lake.

More information

No sample or blank values: If the value is marked "No sample" then the sample could not be collected or could not be analyzed. For example, a sample container might have broken before it was analyzed. If the sample value is blank then the data has not been checked for validity.

If I am experiencing health symptoms, who do I call?

If you experience symptoms or illness related to Harmful Algal Blooms, notify your physician and call the Nebraska Regional Poison Center at 800-222-1222 for immediate health questions.

If you have general questions about human and animal exposures to HABs and related illnesses, contact the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services at (402) 471-2937 or dhhs.epi@nebraska.gov.

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