Sloan’s Lake Closed Due To Potentially Toxic Blue-Green Algae

DENVER, CO — Sloan’s Lake is temporarily closed until further notice after potentially deadly blue-green algae blooms were recently found in the water, Denver park officials confirmed.

Contact with the water and all recreational activities are prohibited, including fishing, wading, and use of non-motorized and hand-launched watercraft such as canoes, paddleboards, and kayaks.

Park visitors should not allow their children or pets in or near the water, park officials warned.

Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are microscopic organisms found naturally in all types of water. This type of algae can poison not only dogs, cats, livestock, wildlife, birds, and fish, but also humans. Pets can die within hours of consuming the algae.

Health officials said people can get sick and experience symptoms including a headache, diarrhea, weakness, and liver damage. If you or your pets are exposed to the water and experience these symptoms, you're advised to contact your doctor or veterinarian.

Denver park officials said notification signs regarding the presence of the algae were posted earlier this month and are now being replaced with closure signs warning of the potentially poisonous algae blooms.

The lake is expected to reopen when the algae bloom and cyanotoxin levels are shown to have subsided.

Denver Public Health & Environment and Denver Parks and Recreation are continuing to monitor the lake and will provide updated guidance through the rest of the summer.