A recent government meeting highlighted ongoing concerns regarding hazardous algal blooms in the Crowley Lake and Bridgeport Reservoir, which have been under advisory for over a month. The Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board is conducting routine monitoring of these water bodies, with the next round of sampling expected soon.

Officials noted that while the Bridgeport Reservoir has clear caution signs posted at various locations, including the dam and boat landing, the situation at Crowley Lake is more complex. Different warning levels—ranging from caution to danger—are displayed at various sites, leading to confusion about the current status of algal blooms. The regional board is working to clarify this information on their website.

The meeting also touched on the historical context of harmful algal blooms, with officials acknowledging that while algae have always been present in these lakes, systematic sampling for toxins has only been conducted for the past seven to eight years. This lack of historical data makes it difficult to assess whether the frequency or severity of blooms has changed over time, although anecdotal evidence suggests that issues have been reported for years, including incidents of dogs falling ill.

As the region awaits results from the upcoming sampling, officials expect that the advisories for both reservoirs will likely remain in place for the remainder of the season. Meanwhile, other local lakes, including Topaz and those in the Mammoth Lakes basin, have not been reported as affected by algal blooms at this time.