Blue-green algae closes Bodenham Lake

The miserable summer weather is being blamed for the arrival of the toxic blue-green algae at Herefordshire's Bodenham Lake Nature Reserve.

Samples of water taken from the lake by the Environment Agency have confirmed the presence of blue-green algae which tends to occur after warm and wet periods of weather in late summer or autumn.

The algae usually disappears in cold weather, but council wardens have already put up signs warning people to keep out of the water and keep dogs on leads.

"We're urging people to co-operate and stay away from the water for the time being - contact with the algae should be avoided and the council's youth service is unfortunately having to cancel forthcoming water-based activities at this site," said James Bissett, the council's principal countryside officer.

"The Environment Agency will continue to test samples until the algae levels are considered safe. The levels of toxicity can fluctuate as the 'blooms' of algae can appear one day, be dispersed by the wind the next, and then re-accumulate at any time."

He added that blue-green algae in these concentrations is potentially harmful to livestock, pets and humans if ingested.

Swallowing the water or algae scum can cause stomach upsets or more serious health effects. Contact with the water or with algae scum can cause skin problems.

"We're advising all visitors to the lake to keep their dogs on a lead and avoid all contact with the scum and the water close to it."

The orchard and bird hide are both still fully accessible and the car park will remain open as normal from dawn to dusk each day.