The City of Sedalia announced Spring Fork Lake will be closed through Tuesday, October 5, in regards to potentially hazardous algae bloom.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources notified the City of the potential bloom on Monday, September 20. The city is in the process of sampling and testing at different locations around the Lake to determine the type of algae bloom occurring.

According to a release from the city, the concern is that the bloom may be a blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria – a microscopic organisms found naturally in all types of water.

In warm, nutrient-rich environments, cyanobacteria can multiply quickly, creating blooms that spread across the water’s surface. These blooms can create toxins that are harmful to humans and pets. An algae bloom of this type is not unusual.

Officials say several years ago, the City of Sedalia discontinued use of Spring Fork Lake as a source of public drinking water. Therefore, this bloom presents no hazard to the drinking water supply.