DENVER (KDVR) — Officials are advising visitors to keep their children and pets out of the water at Cherry Creek Reservoir due to bacteria growing in the lake.
Blue-green algae commonly pop up in Colorado waterways due to cyanobacteria, but pose health risks to those who decide to take a dip. Blue-green algae in Colorado waterways can present as thick, pea-soup appearing mats on the water, or small specks or globs of green, gold, red or turquoise algae at or just below the water surface.
Water safety a priority with Colorado Parks and Wildlife
According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the only way to tell if water has toxic algae is by testing. The agency recommends that you keep pets and kids out of the water and do not drink the water. It’s also recommended that anyone exposed to algae take a shower immediately.
Cherry Creek State Park made the announcement of its blue-green algae on social media, noting that it can cause illness for children and adults. However, that doesn’t mean the reservoir is out of the question for all activities.
Boating at Cherry Creek Reservoir is still available, as is fishing. The state park recommends anglers rinse their fish and dispose of their guts…