Focus On Water Division

2017 Harmful Algal Blooms
(Also known as Toxic Blue-green Algae)
and Bacteria Sampling Results




NDEQ conducts weekly sampling for Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), also known as toxic blue-green algae, and E.coli bacteria at 50 public recreational lakes across Nebraska from May through September and these results are updated weekly. Samples are typically collected on Monday and posted on the web site on Friday.

Current Lake(s) on Health Alert. These lakes exceed the current concentration threshold of 20 ppb of the toxin Microcystin which is associated with the presence of HABs. Lakes that have been placed on  Health Alert must subsequently have two consecutive weeks of readings below 20 ppb before the alert is ended.

20 ppb of microcystin the limit that has been in effect in Nebraska since 2004, and will continue to be used through the 2017 recreational season. New research into the negative health effects of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and their associated toxins has led to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to propose a new threshold concentration of 4ppb. This proposal is currently under review before being finalized. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality has reviewed the proposal and the associated research and believes that the new recommendation has been made using the most current and best scientific evidence available. As such, if a recommendation becomes finalized by the EPA, the State of Nebraska intends to adopt the new lower criteria of 4 ppb at the beginning of the next recreation season.

For more information about health alerts and what to look for, go to

Precautions and Facts Regarding Toxic Algae at Nebraska Lakes.

Harmful Algal Bloom Facts  *  (links to an EPA website)

High E. coli Bacteria Readings, lists lakes that when sampled had unusually high readings of E.coli bacteria in the most recent sampling, which can also be a health concern. Samples above 235 colonies/ 100 ml water are considered high.

Click here for more information about bacteria and its potential health effects.

Other Lakes Sampled, lists the results for lakes which are not under Health Alert for toxic algae and their most recent sample results for bacteria are considered low.

Click on any lake name on the table below to view a chart of that lake’s sample results for HAB toxin (Microcystin) and E.coli bacteria for the 2017 recreational season.

Beach Watch Listserv Subscribe information

To subscribe to the listserv, send an email to listserv@listserv.nebraska.gov with SUBSCRIBE DEQ-BeachWatch (your name) - in the body of the message (leave the Subject line blank).

Example: Subscribe DEQ-BeachWatch John Smith.

You will receive an email requesting you to confirm your request. When you confirm by clicking the link, you will be added to the listserv .

To unsubscribe, send an email to listserv@listserv.nebraska.gov In the body of the message, type SIGNOFF deq-BeachWatch .


* This document contains links to non-NDEQ websites; these links will open in a new tab or window.


Beach Watch Listserv Subscribe Instructions

To subscribe to the listserv, send an email to listserv@listserv.nebraska.gov with SUBSCRIBE DEQ-BeachWatch (your name) - in the body of the message (leave the Subject line blank).

Example: Subscribe DEQ-BeachWatch John Smith.

You will receive an email requesting you to confirm your request. When you confirm by clicking the link, you will be added to the listserv .

To unsubscribe, send an email to listserv@listserv.nebraska.gov In the body of the message, type SIGNOFF deq-BeachWatch.
The links below will take you to the sampling results taken during the recreational seasons ( May through September) for 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and2011.

2018 Bacteria and Toxic Algae Monitoring: Weekly Results
2017 Bacteria and Toxic Algae Monitoring: Weekly Results
2016 Bacteria and Toxic Algae Monitoring: Weekly Results
2015 Bacteria and Toxic Algae Monitoring: Weekly Results
2014 Bacteria and Toxic Algae Monitoring: Weekly Results
2013 Bacteria and Toxic Algae Monitoring: Weekly Results
2012 Bacteria and Toxic Algae Monitoring: Weekly Results
2011 Bacteria and Toxic Algae Monitoring: Weekly Results