Virginia Lake seeing annual algae bloom; people, pets should avoid water

The City of Reno is experiencing seasonal algae blooms at Virginia Lake, a common occurrence during late summer and early fall.

People and pets should avoid direct contact with the water for the next two months until the algae bloom clears up.

Algae blooms happen when water levels are lower, there are higher levels of nutrients like phosphorus, and the water doesn’t circulate well.

"Algae blooms are a normal part of the seasonal cycle in some lakes," said Chris Holman, Senior Civil Engineer at the City of Reno. "Although the water may look different, these blooms are natural and temporary, and they will go away as the weather cools."

The algae can produce harmful toxins called cyanotoxins. If people or pets swallow the water or come into contact with it, they could get sick. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that humans exposed to these toxins might experience stomach pain, headaches, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, and coughing. Pets are also at risk if they drink the water or lick algae off their fur after swimming.

City staff have been coordinating water quality sampling efforts with the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) as part of the NDEP Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) program. This program identifies advisory levels based on the concentrations of toxins associated with algal blooms found in waterbodies throughout the State. The most recent water test showed that Virginia Lake has enough cyanotoxins to trigger a warning under the HAB Advisory.

What You Can and Cannot Do:

You can still walk, jog, or enjoy the area around Virginia Lake.
You cannot swim in the water or let your pets drink or enter the lake.

The City has posted warning signs in English and Spanish around the lake. The algae bloom will disappear on its own as the weather cools. When the algae bloom disappears, the City will remove the signs.

(City of Reno)