A lot of people may want to keep cool over the holiday in lakes and rivers. However, Nevada State Parks is asking folks to celebrate with caution at Lahontan Reservoir after it's been put under a harmful algae bloom warning, also known as HAB Warning.
A HAB Warning is not something that should be taken lightly.
Environmental scientist Weston Fettgather says just because you can't see the algae doesn't mean the water is clean.
"You can't see the toxins," he said. "So, it's possible that you might not see any sign of bacteria in the water, it could look relatively normal but there could be toxins present."
Fettgather says this alga has cyanobacteria which can produce toxins in the water that can get people very sick if ingested.
Right now, they're monitoring for four different kinds of toxins.
"Two of those are hanatoxins which are toxins that affect the liver, and two of those are neurotoxins which can impact and can accumulate in the nervous system," he said.
Fettgather says it's even more dangerous for pets. He recommends owners should keep their animals away from the water altogether since they're more likely to drink it. Even licking the water off their fur after a swim can be dangerous.
A 2022 CDC report shows it's not uncommon for a dog to die from this illness.
"Dogs being brought into a vet after sign of bacteria exposure, 92% of those dogs died," he explains.
Fettgather says if you plan to be in the water, just remember you are taking a risk.
Do not use this water for cooking, cleaning, or drinking. And make sure you're keeping an eye out for signs of the algae such as discoloration in the water and a bad smell.
"Generally, when it's actively blooming it can look like bright green scum on the surface of the water, but it can also look like pea soup. It can take on a number of different appearances," he said.
If you see any signs of harmful algae blooms, even if you're not entirely sure if it's actually algae, make sure to stay away from it and report it through this link here.
Fettgather says it's most helpful to send in pictures so they can get a better idea of location and resources needed.
