2008 Toxic Blue-green Algae
and Bacteria Sampling Results


NDEQ conducts weekly or bi-weekly sampling for toxic blue-green algae and bacteria at a number of public recreational lakes across Nebraska from May through September, and these results are updated weekly. Samples are typically collected on Monday and posted on the web site on Thursday or Friday.

At the top of the table below is a list of all Current Lake(s) on Health Alert for toxic blue-green algae. Lakes that have been placed on Health Alert must subsequently have two consecutive weeks of low readings before the alert is ended.
Click here for more information about Health Alerts and toxic algae.

The next category, High E. Coli Bacteria Readings, lists lakes that showed unusually high readings of bacteria in the most recent sampling, which can also be a health concern.
* Bacteria figures preceded by an asterisk indicate that the five-sample average is considered higher risk for illness through inadvertent ingestion during recreational activities.
Click here for more information about bacteria and its potential health effects.

The last category, Other Lakes Sampled, lists the results for lakes which are not under Health Alert for toxic algae, and their most recent sample results for bacteria are considered low.

Click on any lake name on the table below to view a chart of that lake’s sample results for toxic algae (Microcystins) and E.coli bacteria for the 2008 recreational season

Lake NameLake # -- County- Last Updated - Microcystin (ppb) - E.coli Bacteria
Show details for Current Lake(s) on Health AlertCurrent Lake(s) on Health Alert
Show details for High E.coli Bacteria LevelsHigh E.coli Bacteria Levels
Show details for Other Lakes SampledOther Lakes Sampled

* Bacteria figures preceded by an asterisk indicate that the five-sample average is considered higher risk for illness through inadvertent ingestion during recreational activities.


The map below shows the locations of the lakes referred to in the table above




Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality
1200 "N" Street, Suite 400
PO Pox 98922
Lincoln, Nebraska 68509
(402) 471-2186