Lake Needwood Warning
Montgomery Parks officials are asking residents to use caution at Lake Needwood, which is located within Rock Creek Regional Park. Testing has shown there are elevated levels of Microcystin a toxic substance produced by blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), in the 75-acre lake. If ingested, the algae can cause serious harm to the liver of humans and pets. Montgomery Parks officials are urging visitors to take the following precautions:
- Keep dogs on leash (as is regularly required at the park), and do not allow them to drink or go in the water.
- Swimming is prohibited in the lake at all times.
- Wash hands thoroughly if they come in contact with the water.
- Only eat properly cooked muscle meat of fish that are caught in the lake.
Boating and fishing will remain open at the lake.
“We have posted signs around Lake Needwood and urge visitors to please pay attention to these precautions to avoid any harm from microcystin,” said Jai Cole, Principal Natural Resource Specialist for Montgomery Parks. “Portions of the lake may be contaminated for the rest of the season. We will continue to monitor and update signs when the warning is lifted.”
For updates or more information, visit www.MontgomeryParks.org.
Can you send an email when it’s safe…how do we get on a list?