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LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska authorities have issued a health alert for toxic blue-green algae at Red Willow Reservoir in Frontier County and have continued an alert at Johnson Lake in Gosper County.
Also on Friday, the state ended an alert at Swan Creek Lake 5A near Tobias in Saline County, because the toxin level had dropped below allowable maximums.
The algae, which scientists say are plantlike bacteria, are common in freshwater. Some types can produce dangerous toxins.
People can still camp, fish and boat on lakes under the alert but should not have full-body contact.
Drinking toxin-tainted water can cause vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory failure and, rarely, death.
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