Sloan’s Lake is currently closed to the public - for the first time ever - due to an increase of blue-green algae found in its waters.

Although the park area at the lake does remain open, an increase in the potentially deadly algae is what ultimately led to the ban on contact with any lake water.

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This is the first time Denver Parks and Recreation staff could recall closing a lake in Denver for this reason, according to Denver Parks & Recreation spokesperson Cyndi Karvaski.

“We just want to encourage people to avoid the water right now,” she said.

The blue-green algae or cyanobacteria, was first discovered in the lake earlier this month - according to the Denver Post; out of an abundance of caution, public health officials encouraged visitors to avoid contact with the water by posting warning signs around the lake.

Since then, warning signs have been with closure signs due to a rise in toxin levels in the lake.

Karvaski said the sustained heat across the state has caused higher than normal toxin levels in the lake's waters, leading the algae to bloom and grow. Usually, the algae stops growing at 77 degrees.

As per reports via the Denver Post, visitors of the park - both people and pets - are being asked not to get in or near the lake water. In addition, activities like fishing, wading, boating, canoeing, paddle boarding and kayaking are prohibited at this time, as ingesting the algae can poison pets, livestock, wildlife, birds, fish and humans.

The algae in question so poisonous that pets can reportedly die within hours of drinking the water; humans, on the other hand, can get sick from the algae in forms of headaches, diarrhea, weakness and liver damage.

Should you or a pet get exposed to the water while visiting Sloan's Lake, you are advised to seek medical attention.

Sloan's lake is expected reopen once algae bloom and cyanotoxin levels deteriorate.

 

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