DWEE begins weekly public lake sampling

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (DWEE) and its partners have begun weekly sampling of public lakes across Nebraska.

This sampling will test for microcystin – a toxin produced by harmful algal blooms (HABs), also known as toxic blue-green algae – and E. coli bacteria. DWEE and its partners collect these samples at 52 public recreational lakes (57 beach sites) throughout the state. Sampling will take place from May 18, 2026, through Sept. 14, 2026.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and DWEE will issue joint Health Alerts for HABs when test results indicate the toxin microcystin are at levels above 8 parts per billion (ppb).

Lake samples are typically collected on Mondays and results are posted to DWEE’s Beach Watch webpage (https://deq-iis.ne.gov/zs/bw/) on Fridays. While viewing this webpage, those interested can also subscribe to DWEE’s Beach Watch listserv to receive email updates on lake conditions, view previous weeks’ results, or view the interactive Beach Watch map.

DWEE’s sampling partners include the Central District Health Department, Nebraska Public Power District, Upper Republican Natural Resources District (NRD), Lower Republican NRD, South Platte NRD, Middle Niobrara NRD, Lower Loup NRD, Nemaha NRD, Lower Elkhorn NRD and the United States Army Corps of Engineers.