Pet owners urged to keep dogs out of the lake; boating and fishing remain open.
SILVER SPRING, MD—Montgomery Parks, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission is asking residents to use caution when recreating on or near Lake Needwood located within Rock Creek Regional Park. Testing has shown there are elevated levels of microcystin, a toxic substance produced by some species of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), in the 75-acre lake. Microcystin, hepatoxin, can cause harm to the liver of humans and pets. Of particular concern are dogs that are off-leash and may swim and/or drink from the lake, despite park regulations. Montgomery Parks urges visitors to take the following precautions:
- Keep dogs on leash (as is regularly required at the park), and do not allow them to drink or go in the water
- Swimming is prohibited in the lake at all times
- Wash hands thoroughly if they come in contact with the water
- Only eat properly cooked muscle meat of fish that are caught in the lake
Boating and fishing will remain open at the lake.
“We have posted signs around Lake Needwood and urge visitors to please pay attention to these precautions to avoid any harm from microcystin,” said Jai Cole, Natural Resources Manager for Montgomery Parks. “Portions of the lake may be contaminated for the rest of the season. We will continue to monitor and update signs when the warning is lifted.”
For updates or more information, visit www.MontgomeryParks.org.
About The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Montgomery Parks:
Montgomery Parks manages more than 36,000 acres of parkland, consisting of 420 parks. Montgomery Parks is a department of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), a bi-county agency established in 1927 to steward public land. The M-NCPPC has been nationally recognized for its high-quality parks and recreation services, and is regarded as a national model by other parks systems. www.MontgomeryParks.org
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