Across Nevada, toxic algae blooms have been flourishing in our state’s lakes and ponds due to excess nitrogen and other nutrients from farming and dumping. Washoe Lake is currently contaminated with this toxic algae, which is also called HAB, or Harmful Algal Bloom.

HAB causes ponds and lakes to be covered in a green film, as well as causing fish to die in a heavily contaminated water source. The algae can cause skin, eye, and throat irritation as well as nausea and allergic reactions for both humans and animals.

On September 2nd, 2023, the algae bloom spread to Virginia Lake in central Reno. This lake is located in a largely populated area of Reno, lots of people who live there and in that area take their pets out for walks around the lake. The cause of the bloom in the lake would most likely be the fact that water circulation in the lake is very low, as well as its proximity to downtown Reno.

The Algae bloom should not harm you or your pets if you don’t swim or ingest any water that has been affected by it.  A civil engineer working in Reno said that “these algae blooms run their course and in the winter months once the water gets colder and the days shorten”. This means that the algae bloom should subside within the next month as the weather gets colder.