Blue-Green Algae detected in Granite

The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) has issued a harmful cyanobacterial bloom recreational use advisory for the City of Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities’ (BOPU) Granite Springs Reservoir. The reservoir is located about 30 miles west of Cheyenne in Curt Gowdy State Park.

Harmful cyanobacteria (HCB), also known as blue-green algae, can form harmful blooms in slow-moving water during late summer and early fall when water temperatures are warmer. These blooms are considered harmful because they produce toxins and other irritants that can pose a risk to humans, pets, livestock and wildlife.

The BOPU is not currently using water from Granite Springs Reservoir and will delay any use until the HCB blooms subside. The BOPU’s water treatment processes are designed to remove HCB and the toxins they produce, and BOPU laboratory staff will continue to sample and monitor water quality. The BOPU is also working with Curt Gowdy State Park to notify recreational users.

The BOPU is asking residents to follow these recommendations:

• Avoid contact with water in the vicinity of the bloom, especially in areas where cyanobacteria are dense and form scum.
• Do not ingest water from the bloom. Boiling, filtration and/or other treatments will not remove toxins.
• Rinse fish with clean water and eat only the fillet portion.
• Avoid water spray from the bloom.
• Do not allow pets or livestock to drink water near the bloom, eat bloom material or lick fur after contact.
• If people, pets or livestock come into contact with a bloom, rinse off with clean water as soon as possible.

Story by City of Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities

For more information about blue-green algae, please visit www.wyohcbs.org.