ASHEVILLE  -- Officials with the N.C. Division of Water Resources are urging people to avoid contact with algal blooms that have been identified at Waterville Lake in Haywood County and the Tuckasegee arm of Fontana Lake in Swain County.

Earlier this week, state water quality specialists observed concentrations of the algae Microcystis and Anabaena at the eastern end of Waterville Lake. Both algae are members of the bluegreen family of algae, which may produce toxins and pose a potential health risk. Based on sample results from the State Laboratory of Public Health, the levels of algal toxin detected at Waterville Lake are associated with a low risk of adverse health effects.

State water quality specialists also observed the beginning of a filamentous bluegreen algae bloom in the Tuckasegee arm of Fontana Lake. Laboratory analysis of water samples taken at this location identified the algae species as Aphanizomenon and Anabaena. Toxin testing was not performed on the Lake Fontana water samples due to the low concentrations of algae present. Division staff will continue to monitor the blooms at both lakes.

North Carolina has had no reports of adverse health effects in people associated with these algal blooms.

While it is safe to boat or fish in the affected areas, state health officials routinely encourage the public to avoid contact with large accumulations of algae and prevent children and pets from swimming or ingesting water in an algal bloom.