The Benton-Franklin Health District has closed the Scooteney Reservoir to swimming because of toxic levels of bacteria in the lake.

Earlier this week, the Health District received notification from the Bureau of Reclamation about an algae bloom on the Scooteney Reservoir, prompting Health District staff to collect samples for testing.

Those results were returned on Friday, August 4th, showing elevated levels of the toxin Microcystin. The toxin poses a significant risk for illness to small children and animals. Ingesting the toxin can lead to jaundice, shock, abdominal pail, weakness, nausea and vomiting, severe thirst, and rapid or weak pulse. In extreme cases, the toxins can be deadly.

Health officials warn visitors to the Scooteney Reservoir to stay out of the water until testing shows that the toxins are back down to safe levels.

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