The City of Boulder is asking residents to keep themselves and their pets out of the water at the Boulder Reservoir due to a possible harmful algae bloom.
Although the swim beach is closed for the season, watercraft are still allowed on the reservoir. City officials said anglers should clean any fish they catch thoroughly and dispose of fish waste appropriately. They warned against any contact with the water in areas where an active bloom is present.
At high concentrations, blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, can cause rashes, gastrointestinal issues, muscle weakness, or even vomiting. They can be particularly harmful to pets, and the city asked residents to keep dogs away from the reservoir.
Areas where cyanobacteria are blooming may look like pea soup or spilled blue-green paint on the water, the city says. It can also cause the accumulation of thick foam along the shoreline. The long, stringy strands of bright green or mustard yellow algae are not cyanobacteria, officials added…