Avoid and Report Possible Harmful Cyanobacterial Blooms in Wyoming Waters

Cheyenne, Wyo – The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH), and the Wyoming Livestock Board (WLB) are advising the public to avoid and keep animals away from cyanobacterial blooms in Wyoming’s lakes and reservoirs and to report suspected blooms to DEQ.

Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, can form harmful cyanobacterial blooms (HCBs; also referred to as harmful algal blooms or HABs) that produce toxins and other irritants that pose a risk to human, pet and livestock health. HCBs typically occur during late summer to early fall in still or slow-moving water and may last days, weeks or months. HCBs are generally blue or green in color and may appear as grass clippings, scum, floating mats or spilled paint. Suspected HCBs can be reported to DEQ by calling 307-777-7501 or submitting a complaint online at WyoSpills.org.

Once reported, DEQ will investigate potential blooms to determine if they are harmful. The Wyoming Department of Health will issue advisories for publicly accessible waters with harmful levels of cyanobacteria and/or toxins. A list and map of advisories can be found at: WyoHCBs.org.

If a harmful bloom is present, the WDH and WLB recommend the following:

  • Avoid contact with water in the vicinity of the bloom, especially in areas where cyanobacteria are dense and form scum.
  • Do not ingest water from the bloom. Boiling, filtration and/or other treatments will not remove toxins.
  • Rinse fish with clean water and eat only the fillet portion.
  • Avoid water spray from the bloom.
  • Do not allow pets or livestock to drink water near the bloom, eat bloom material or lick fur after contact.
  • If people, pets or livestock come into contact with a bloom, rinse off with clean water as soon as possible.

Seek medical attention or a veterinarian if a person or animal is experiencing adverse health effects after exposure to a cyanobacterial bloom. Young children, pregnant women, people with weak immune systems and animals are especially at risk. Questions regarding general health risks and symptoms related to a cyanobacterial bloom can be referred to Dr. Karl Musgrave, state public health veterinarian and environmental health epidemiologist with WDH at 307-777-5825. More information is also available at https://www.cdc.gov/habs/.

For more information, visit the DEQ’s HCB webpage at WyoHCBs.org.

A DEQ informational video is available by clicking here.

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