Box Butte Reservoir tests for high E. coli bacteria levels
The Nebraska Department of Games and Parks reports Box Butte Reservoir high E. coli tests June 6. Officials caution against ingesting water from the reservoir.
By News Channel Nebraska
Use caution and avoid ingesting water
HEMINGFORD -- Nebraska Game and Parks reported E.coli concerns at Box Butte Reservoir.
Box Butte Reservoir SRA encompasses 2,212 acres on the west edge of the Sandhills nine miles north of Hemingford. It includes a 1,600 acre lake. The area is a good spot for fishing, camping and picnicking and also features some of the best birdwatching opportunities in the panhandle.
The June 6 test of Box Butte Reservoir resulted in 260 parts per 100 ml, exceeding the maximum of 235 colonies per 100 ml.
Fort Kearney Lake No. 1 tested June 5 at 687 colonies per 100 ml.
Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy conducts weekly sampling for Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), also known as toxic blue-green algae, and E. coli bacteria at 50 public recreational lakes (55 sites in all) across Nebraska from May through September and these results are updated weekly.
Samples are typically collected on Monday and results are posted on the website on Friday.