HAB Data
Office of State Epidemiology (OSE) Dashboard
HAB Data Overview
Nevada's harmful algal bloom data is comprised of algae samples collected from public water bodies by trained state staff following the Strategic Response Plan (SRP) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). NDEP and analytical laboriatories analyze algae samples to make health advisory determinations. NDEP releases a Weekly HAB Update with the most recent data and health advisories. Please subscribe to the Nevada HABs Listserv to receive weekly HAB updates.
Weekly HAB Update
HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM (HAB) WEEKLY REPORT
Nevada Division of Environmental Protection
Bureau of Water Quality Planning (BWQP)
This document includes the most recent HAB data and health advisory updates for the week of 07/018/2024 through 07/25/2024.
Notification on algal toxin analysis:
This week NDEP HAB monitoring staff encountered an issue with the analytical equipment being used for internal algal toxin analysis. Therefore, all algal toxin samples, whether collected by NDEP or provided to NDEP staff by other state personnel, will have to be sent out for laboratory analysis. This will increase the lead time for results to approximately a week. Our equipment should be back in working order in September. This will pose a challenge as we expect to continue seeing blooms throughout the month of August. Sample collection and hand-off to NDEP staff can remain the same. Please call or email Weston Fettgather with questions: wfettgather@ndep.nv.gov; 775-687-9453.
Ongoing HAB Advisories:
Confirmation of cyanotoxin concentrations above recreational risk thresholds occurred on 07/15/2024:
- Little Washoe Lake
Based on these findings the Office of State Epidemiology has issued a HAB Warning advisory for the above water bodies.
In response to a dog death and in cooperation with California Waterboards, samples were collected at the backwater pond at Nevada Beach at Lake Tahoe and from Lake Tahoe proper on 7/8/24. Results from Lake Tahoe were non-detect. There was a small concentration of Saxitoxin (.04 ug/L) in the backwater pond. Out of an abundance of caution, NDEP recommended a HAB Watch be issued for the backwater pond. USFS, the beach manager, has posted advisory signs and repaired the fence around the pond to prevent dogs from entering the water.
Cyanotoxin concentrations for the following waterbodies have been analyzed and cyanotoxin concentrations were below the limit of detection. However, a HAB Watch Advisory will remain in effect due to visual confirmation of cyanobacteria.
- Washoe Lake
- South Fork Reservoir
- Eagle Valley Reservoir
- Wild Horse Reservoir
As of 07/11/2024 visual confirmation at Virginia Lake (Reno, NV) indicated blooms were ongoing. As of 7/25/24 satellite imagery of Lahontan Reservoir indicated active blooms are ongoing.
Visual confirmation of harmful algal blooms (HABs) occurred at the following water bodies:
- Virginia Lake (Reno, NV) on 6/30/2024
- Lahontan Reservoir on 6/5/2024
Cyanotoxin concentrations were detected in laboratory analyses at concentrations below respective recreational threshold advisories, however the presence of a cyanobacteria bloom has been confirmed. As such, the Office of State Epidemiology has issued health advisories at the following water bodies:
- Virginia Lake (Reno, NV)
- Microcystin (MC) Concentration – < 0.5 µg/L analyzed 7/1/2024
- Cylindrospermopsin (CYN) Concentration – < 0.3 µg/L analyzed 7/1/2024
- HAB Watch advisory issued 07/02/2024
- Lahontan Reservoir
- Microcystin (MC) Concentration - < 0.4 µg/L analyzed 6/25/2024
- Microcystin (MC) Concentration – 1.7 µg/L analyzed 6/10/2024
- HAB Watch advisory issued 6/10/2024
The HABs monitoring team will continue regular surveillance of impacted water bodies. Sampling and analysis of affected water bodies will occur promptly as resources become available.
For more information regarding the HAB monitoring program, health advisories, exposure information, or to report a suspected HAB visit the BWQP HABs Webpage or The Office of State Epidemiology’s HABs Webpage.
Contact:
Weston Fettgather | wfettgather@ndep.nv.gov Veda Parker | vparker@ndep.nv.gov
Supervisor, Environmental Scientist Environmental Scientist
Bioassessment Branch, BWQP Bioassessment Branch, BWQP
OSE Dashboard
The Office of State Epidemiology Harmful Algae Bloom Dashboard
Report a Bloom
Report a possible bloom to the Biological Assessment and Monitoring Branch
Resources
- Strategic Response Plan (link coming soon)
- Standard Operating Procedures (link coming soon)
- Recreational Threshold Advisory Rationale (link coming soon)