WYOMING — The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) released a statement Tuesday informing residents that the department is closely monitoring harmful cyanobacterial blooms (HCB) in the state’s bodies of water.
“Together with the Wyoming Department of Health, Wyoming Livestock Board and local, state and federal partners, the DEQ wants to remind people, including hunters and fisherman, to continue to avoid and keep animals away from harmful cyanobacterial blooms that may be present,” the statement said.
According to the DEQ’s online map, three waterways in or near Bridger-Teton National Forest are under investigation for the presence of HCB: Anne’s Pond, Palmer Creek Trail Pond and Palisades Reservoir. Enos Lake had been suspected of HCB presence but was recently cleared for use by the DEQ and Forest Service.
The map can be used to find where blooms are located, types and densities of cyanobacteria present and toxicity levels of sampled blooms. To report a suspected bloom or bloom-related illness, visit WyoHCBs.org.
If you encounter a confirmed or potential HCB, the Wyoming Department of Health and the Wyoming Livestock Board recommend the following:
- Avoid contact with water in the vicinity of blooms, especially in areas where cyanobacteria are dense and form scums.
- Do not ingest water from a 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 a bloom.
- Do not allow pets or livestock to drink water near a 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 and contact a doctor or veterinarian.
