Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
RENO, Nev. (AP) — People and their pets no longer have to stay away from Reno's popular Virginia Lake.
Local health officials have lifted an advisory that was issued in early September after its water became contaminated as a result of an algae bloom.
Health officials say tests show the lake is now free of the algae and toxins that bloomed there this summer.
Officials say the drought, the lake's low water level and high phosphorous levels combined to create ideal conditions for the algae bloom.
The presence of the algae created the growth of a class of toxins known as microcystins, and levels of it were found at levels high enough to pose a threat to people and their pets.
But officials say cold temperatures have since stopped the algae bloom.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.