LANCASTER COUNTY - A lake near Nebraska's capital city is under a health alert this week after toxic algae was identified there.

According to a Thursday release from Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services, the state has issued a health alert for Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB), also known as toxic blue-green algae, at Bluestem Lake, not far from Lincoln and Crete.

These alerts mean visitors to the lake should be extremely cautious and should limit or avoid performing any activities that involve prolonged exposure to, or the risk of swallowing, the water, especially for young people and animals. People can still use the public areas for camping, picnics, and other outdoor activities and recreational boating and fishing are permitted, but designated swimming beaches are likely to be closed while the alert is in effect.

Weekly sampling has been conducted at 56 public lake sites since the first week of May. The lakes will continue to be monitored weekly through the end of September, according to the release. Samples taken earlier this week at this particular lake yielded results above the threshold of eight parts per billion (ppb) of total microcystin, which is a toxin released by certain strains of blue-green algae.

DHHS says these toxins may potentially develop in the time between sample collection and sample reporting, so the public should use caution if they see signs of algal blooms. HABs may also be present in other lakes in Nebraska that are not sampled. For more information about what to look for, potential health effects from HABs, and steps to avoid exposure, please refer to the HAB Fact Sheet on DWEE’s website at https://dee.nebraska.gov/precautions-and-facts-regarding-harmful-algal-blooms-toxic-algae-nebraska-lakes-and-beaches.