Nebraska environmental agency begins testing lakes for harmful algae blooms

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy has begun sampling public lakes to test for harmful algae blooms.

The 53 state lakes will be tested for algae blooms and E. coli every week from May until September.

Lake samples will be collected on Mondays, and the results will be posted on the department’s website on Fridays.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and NDEE will alert the public when lakes become dangerous.

A lake is considered dangerous when levels of the toxin microcystin are above 8 parts per billion, state officials say.