North Dakota health and environmental officials expanded a statewide recreational hazard advisory on Aug. 13, adding Lake Ashtabula and Sykeston Dam to the harmful algal bloom list. According to the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, ten water bodies across the state now fall under active advisories due to high concentrations of cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae.
Lake Ashtabula and Sykeston Dam Advisories
The addition of Lake Ashtabula in Barnes and Griggs counties and Sykeston Dam in Wells County brings the state’s total number of active bloom warnings to ten. According to state environmental monitors, these blooms thrive in warm, nutrient-rich waters during peak summer months, producing toxins that pose health risks to humans and animals alike. State officials test recreational sites regularly to monitor toxin levels and update public health notices.
Recreationists visiting Lake Ashtabula and Sykeston Dam should avoid swimming, water skiing, and wading in areas where water appears discolored, thick like paint, or has surface scums. According to the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, ingestion or skin contact with contaminated water can cause skin irritation, stomach cramps, vomiting, and neurological symptoms in severe cases.
Safety Precautions and Pet Risks
Pets face particularly high risks during harmful algal bloom events because they readily drink untreated surface water and lick toxic residue from their fur after swimming. According to veterinary guidelines issued by state health officials, owners must keep dogs away from suspect shorelines and rinse them immediately with clean water if contact occurs. Boiling contaminated water does not destroy cyanobacterial toxins.
Anglers catching fish in advisory zones should clean fillets thoroughly with fresh water and discard internal organs before consumption. While fish muscle typically accumulates lower toxin concentrations than liver or digestive tracts, caution remains necessary during active advisories.
Statewide Monitoring Network
The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality tracks water quality across dozens of popular lakes and reservoirs throughout the recreation season. When cyanobacteria cell counts or toxin concentrations exceed established thresholds, the agency issues public warnings in coordination with local park boards and water resource districts. Officials lift advisories only after consecutive sampling runs confirm toxin levels have dropped below safety thresholds.
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