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BISMARCK - The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality has issued a harmful algal bloom advisory for Lake Tschida in Grant County, bringing the number of state waterbodies under an active advisory or warning to seven.
Harmful algal blooms, also called HABs or blue-green algae, can develop quickly in warm, sunny weather. Some blooms produce cyanotoxins that can make people, pets and livestock sick if the water is swallowed or touched.
An advisory means a bloom is present in portions of the waterbody. A warning means a bloom covers a significant portion of the waterbody and toxin levels exceed the recreational threshold.
As of Wednesday, July 29, the following North Dakota waterbodies have active HAB advisories or warnings:
- Advisories, Devils Lake in Ramsey and Benson Counties, Lake Brekken in McLean County, Lake Darling in Renville County and Lake Tschida in Grant County.
- Warnings, Bowman-Haley Dam in Bowman County, South Golden Lake in Steele County and Warsing Dam in Eddy County.
The Department of Environmental Quality will continue monitoring these waterbodies and update their status based on observations and sampling results.
Before heading out, check current water conditions. Water suspected of containing blue-green algae should be avoided. If contact occurs, rinse off with fresh water as soon as possible. Report suspected blooms at 328-5210 or DEQ-HAB@nd.gov.