Arkansas environmental officials have issued a harmful algal bloom advisory for Lake Hamilton near Hot Springs in Garland County.
The Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment’s Division of Environmental Quality said the advisory is based on a bloom observed in Starlite Bay.
Officials said cyanobacteria — organisms that make up a harmful algal bloom — have been visually confirmed and supported by preliminary testing. The blooms may produce toxic substances that could result in headaches, weakness, shortness of breath, muscle spasms and gastrointestinal illnesses.
If animals are exposed to the bloom, officials say they should be washed with clean tap water and avoid letting them ingest toxins when cleaning their coats.
DEQ is monitoring the water quality and will lift the advisory when the bloom dissipates.
Brett Barrouquere
Brett Barrouquere is a staff writer with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. A reporter and editor for more than 30 years, he’s worked a little bit of everywhere, mainly in the South. His most recent stop before Arkansas was in Baltimore, Maryland, as a night and breaking news editor. He’s a New Orleans native and has two daughters.
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