COLORADO SPRINGS — Prospect Lake in Memorial Park is reopen to recreational use as of Sept. 4.
The lake has been closed since June 15 due to elevated levels of microcystin toxin.
A test taken on July 16th returned a mycrocystin level of 22 micrograms per liter. The acceptable recreational level for myrocystin, a toxin produced by cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae) is 8 micrograms per liter.
Since the closing, the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department has worked with Colorado Springs Utilities to conduct weekly water testing, and it has regularly treated the water to help consume the biomass and oxygenate the water.
“Prospect Lake is a special place for our community, and we can’t thank residents and visitors enough for their patience while the lake has been closed,” said parks director Karen Palus.
Test results from the last three weeks showed mycrocystin at acceptable recreational levels.
“Safety is our priority, and we are committed to addressing the long-term health of Prospect Lake so that closures like we’ve experienced the last two years aren’t the norm. Thanks to three weeks of encouraging test results, we are incredibly pleased to be able to reopen the lake to recreational activities, and just in time for the Labor Day weekend," said Palus.
To see all 2020 test results click here.
The parks department will continue to regularly monitor and keep the community informed of current water conditions.
