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Two new toxin advisories issued in Wyoming; harmful bloom advisories in effect at 21 waterbodies

A toxin advisory was issued at Leazenby Lake, also known as Hundred Springs Reservoir, on Tuesday. (Photo via Wyoming Harmful Cyanobacterial Blooms Advisory webpage)

CASPER, Wyo. — Two new toxin advisories have been issued in Wyoming this week due to toxin concentrations associated with harmful cyanobacterial blooms exceeding recreational thresholds, according to an online advisories map of harmful blooms in the state.

Toxin advisories were issued Tuesday at Eden Reservoir and at Leazenby Lake, also known as Hundred Springs Reservoir. A toxin advisory also remains in effect at Goshen Hole Reservoir.

Harmful algae bloom advisories are in effect at 21 Wyoming waterbodies, and eight, including Pathfinder, Seminoe and Fontanelle Reservoirs, are under investigation for the possible presence of harmful cyanobacterial blooms.

Harmful cyanobacterial blooms, also known as blue-green algae blooms, can pose health risks to people, pets and livestock, according to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. Wyoming DEQ works with other agencies to test for and address harmful algae bloom risks in the state.

The Wyoming Department of Health issues harmful algae bloom advisories when cyanobacterial blooms are present in a waterbody. The WDH issues toxin advisories when toxin concentrations exceed recreational thresholds. Below are the advisories in effect in Wyoming as of Monday:

Toxin Advisories

  • Leazenby Lake (Hundred Springs Reservoir)
    • Toxin advisory issued Aug. 9
    • Harmful bloom advisory issued July 20
    • Management Agency: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
  • Eden Reservoir
    • Toxin advisory issued Aug. 9
    • Harmful bloom advisory issued July 14
    • Management Agency: Bureau of Reclamation
  • Goshen Hole Reservoir
    • Toxin advisory issued June 28
    • Harmful bloom advisory issued July 28
    • Management Agency: Wyoming Game and Fish Department

Harmful Bloom Advisories

  • Glendo Reservoir
    • Date issued: Aug. 4
    • Management Agency: Wyoming State Parks
  • Flaming Gorge Reservoir
    • Date issued: Aug. 4
    • Management Agency: U.S. Forest Service – Ashley National Forest
  • Sloan Lake
    • Date issued: Aug. 4
    • Management Agency: City of Cheyenne
  • Upper Jade Lake
    • Date issued: Aug. 4
    • Management Agency: U.S. Forest Service – Shoshone National Forest
  • Keyhole Reservoir
    • Date issued: July 28
    • Management Agency: Wyoming State Parks
  • Saratoga Lake
    • Date issued: July 28
    • Management Agency: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
  • Diamond Lake (Bosler Reservoir)
    • Date issued: July 28
    • Management Agency: Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Wheatland Irrigation District
  • West Granite Springs Reservoir
    • Date issued: July 28
    • Management Agency: Wyoming State Parks
  • Wheatland Reservoir No. 3
    • Date issued: July 28
    • Management Agency: Wheatland Irrigation District, Wyoming Game and Fish Department
  • Brooks Lake and Upper Brooks Lake
    • Date issued: July 26
    • Management Agency: U.S. Forest Service – Shoshone National Forest
  • Rainbow Lake
    • Date issued: July 26
    • Management Agency: U.S. Forest Service – Shoshone National Forest
  • Boysen Reservoir
    • Date issued: July 21
    • Management agency: Wyoming State Parks
  • Toltec Reservoir
    • Date issued: July 20
    • Management agency: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
  • Leazenby Lake (Hundred Springs Reservoir)
    • Date issued: July 20
    • Management agency: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
  • Woodruff Narrows Reservoir
    • Date issued: July 20
    • Management agency: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
  • Miller Lake
    • Date issued: July 19
    • Management Agency: U.S. Forest Service – Medicine Bow National Forest 
  • Big Sandy Reservoir
    • Date issued: July 14
    • Management agency: Bureau of Reclamation
  • Eden Reservoir
    • Date issued: July 14
    • Management agency: Bureau of Reclamation
  • Goshen Hole Reservoir
    • Date issued: June 28
    • Management agency: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
  • Gillette Fishing Lake
    • Date issued: June 8
    • Management agency: Gillette Public Works Department

Under Investigation

Eight waterbodies are under investigation after reports of possible blooms, according to the Wyoming Harmful Cyanobacterial Bloom Advisory website:

  • Pathfinder Reservoir
    • Report date: Aug. 2
    • Status: “Elevated cyanobacterial cell densities were detected in the CyAN satellite weekly composite from July 24th through July 30th. DEQ will conduct HCB monitoring at Pathfinder Reservoir during the week of August 21st.”
  • Seminoe Reservoir
    • Report date: Aug. 2
    • Status: “Elevated cyanobacterial cell densities were detected in the CyAN satellite weekly composite from July 24th through July 30th. DEQ plans to conduct HCB monitoring at Seminoe Reservoir during the week of August 21st.”
  • Fontanelle Reservoir
    • Report date: Aug. 2
    • Status: “Elevated cyanobacterial cell densities were detected in the CyAN satellite weekly composite from July 24th through July 30th. DEQ plans to conduct HCB monitoring at Fontenelle Reservoir during the week of August 8th.”
  • Sheep Lake
    • Report date: Aug. 2
    • Status: DEQ and the U.S. Forest Service – Medicine Bow National Forest are coordinating an investigation. 
  • Hutton Lake
    • Report date: July 22
    • Status: DEQ has sampled the lake with results pending.
  • Rainbow Lake
    • Report date: July 22
    • Status: Bloom reported to DEQ by the Shoshone Forest Service.
  • Scouts Pond
    • Report date: July 22
    • Status: Bloom reported to DEQ by the Shoshone Forest Service. The Forest Service plans to investigate and collect samples for analysis.
  • Virgin Lake
    • Report date: July 22
    • Status: Bloom reported to DEQ by the Shoshone Forest Service.

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