LINCOLN – Hunters around Olive Creek State Recreation Area should be aware of a report that a dog swimming in the lake recently has died. The cause of death is unconfirmed, but it is suspected that ingestion of toxic blue-green algae might be the cause of death.
The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality took a water sample at the lake on Sept. 5. Results are expected within a week.
Olive Creek, located in Lancaster County, is not one of the lakes the DEQ regularly tests for toxins. Bluestem Lake, also in Lancaster County, was tested earlier and is on the DEQ’s list of lakes with a health alert. For a list of lakes tested, go to http://www.deq.state.ne.us/, then click on Environmental Alerts.
All hunters using dogs should be wary of the potential for blue-green algae in other lakes. For more information on blue-green algae, visit http://deq.ne.gov/NDEQProg.nsf/OnWeb/ENV042607.