The Town of Wake Forest has closed the boat access area at the Wake Forest Reservoir due to the presence of blue and green algae bloom.
The town said this was caused by the lack of rain in our area over the past several weeks.
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These blooms may produce toxins that can make people and pets sick. Visitors to the reservoir are urged to avoid contact with the water and any areas of algae concentration, even on shore.
During the closure, reservoir visitors cannot:
- Fish or engage in other recreational activities on or in the water
- Allow dogs to swim in or drink the water
If you, your child or your dog comes in contact with the water or an algae bloom, rinse off immediately.
Call your veterinarian immediately if your dog has been around an algae bloom and shows symptoms such as vomiting, staggering, drooling or convulsions. These symptoms present themselves soon after exposure. Dogs have been known to eat the scum that washes ashore and lick scum out of their fur.
Algae blooms can last for weeks. The town said officials are actively monitoring the situation and working to resolve it as quickly as possible.