COLORADO SPRINGS — More testing is being at Prospect Lake in Colorado Springs after it tested positive for blue-green algae earlier this month. Those results should be back on Friday.
Until the test comes back clean, you and your pets need to stay away from the water because the algae can be deadly.
''It will make you really sick, it's actually liver and kidney toxic, so it can kill you, just like it would any of your pets," says Erik Rodriguez, an environmental health and safety specialist for Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation.
Swimming is prohibited in the lake at any time of year. However, the city is restricting stand up paddle boards, water skis and jet skis under this lake closure until this algae bloom runs its course.
Two other bodies of water in El Paso County have tested positive for blue-green algae.
The City of Colorado Springs has warned people to stay away from The Pikeview Reservoir, a popular fishing lake in central Colorado and part of Colorado Springs Utilities' water system. While the reservoir recently tested positive for the toxic algae, it is still safe for fishing, according to Colorado Springs Utilities.
The pond at Homestead Ranch Regional Park tested above the recommended safety threshold for Microcystins, which is associated with a bloom of blue-green algae, according to results from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).
Some good news though, Bear Creek, that runs on the west side of Colorado Springs, has tested negative for blue-green algae.
Here are the following recommendations from The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment:
· Fishing is still permitted, but clean fish well and discard guts appropriately.
· If people or pets contact the water, wash with clean water as soon as possible.
· Contact Poison Control Center (or veterinarian) if you (or your pets) experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, irritated eyes, seizures, breathing problems or other unexplained illness if you had contact with the water.
For more information on blue-green algae, click here.
