Toxic algae detected at Pawnee Lake

LINCOLN, Neb. – A health advisory is in effect for the east beach Pawnee Lake in Lancaster County.

During testing earlier this week, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality detected elevated levels of toxic blue-green algae at the lake. Visitors to the east beach at Pawnee State Recreation Area should avoid full body contact activities such as swimming, wading, skiing, jet skiing, etc. Non-contact activities such as boating, fishing and camping are OK.

The lake will be tested weekly through the summer months, and the health advisory will be lifted if the algae levels return to normal.

A park permit is required of each vehicle entering the park.