Harmful algae found at Herrington Lake

State officials urge caution around the water this weekend

HARRODSBURG, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — A warning is in place at Herrington Lake as harmful algae blooms have been detected in the water.

State officials are advising anyone heading to the lake this weekend to be on the lookout for blue-green algae, which experts say can pose health risks to both people and pets.

“Yeah, it can cause some rashes in people in they contact the water, and also pets if they are to drink the water, they can become really really sick,” said Andrea Drayer, Kentucky River Basin Coordinator at the University of Kentucky.

Officials said the drinking water supplied to the region from Herrington Lake is not affected, but it is being closely monitored. Experts say the algae can develop for several reasons.

“It’s basically a toxic algae that forms because of excess nutrients that are coming into the water. And those nutrients can come from septic system failures, or lawn care, extra lawn care chemicals, different types of livestock being in the stream, or having access to the stream,” Drayer said.

So as the summer season arrives, experts say be on the look out for an unusually colored algae.

“It looks like green pea soup,” said Drayer. “It lays on top of the water, and it is sort of a blue, it sort of like a green pea soup color as well. So it’s like a little different than other algae, most algae are green or brown, this is a little bit more bluish tinted.” Drayer added.

State officials ask anyone who encounters the algae to report it to the Division of Water. More information is available here.