Blue-Green Algae Advisory – Black Nugget Lake
Cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae) has been detected in the waters of Black Nugget Lake. To keep you, your family, and your pets safe, please take note of these important precautions:
Do’s and Don’ts:
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Do NOT swim, wade, or let pets go in areas where algae is visible.
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Avoid contact with any scummy or grassy surface patches. If contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with tap water immediately.
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Do NOT feed pets whole fish or scraps from the lake.
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Limit consumption of whole fish or fish livers from the lake. Fish fillets are still safe to eat.
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Never drink or cook with untreated lake water. Boiling does not remove toxins. Provide pets and livestock with alternate water sources while advisory is in effect.
How to Spot It:
The algae may appear like scum, grass clippings, fuzzy patches, or globs on the water. Colors range from blue-green to brown, sometimes pinkish-red, often with a musty or grassy odor.
Possible Health Effects:
Contact or ingestion can cause skin irritation, rash, sore throat, red eyes, fever, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea—typically within 1–3 hours and lasting 1–2 days. Children are more vulnerable; pets are at high risk and exposure can be fatal.
What’s the Status?
This advisory remains active until further notice. Algae can shift with wind or current, so avoid all visible areas at any time. Swimming or recreating in parts of the lake without visible blooms is still allowed.