Pikeview Reservoir tests positive for blue-green Algae
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- For the second year in a row, blue-green algae has returned to Pikeview Reservoir. This comes after Prospect Lake tested positive for the same bacteria earlier this year.
Pikeview Reservoir is one of the more popular fishing areas here in Colorado Springs and Scott Schnell, a local angler, says he fishes this lake at least two to three times a week.
“Oh yeah, or else I wouldn’t do it,” Schnell said quickly when asked if the fishing is good at the reservoir where Garden of the Gods Road becomes Austin Bluffs Parkway.
While the reservoir has tested positive for blue-green algae, this certain bacteria has also become common in lakes across Colorado. It tends to multiply quickly in conditions that include sustained hot weather, stagnant water, and polluted stormwater runoff.
Natalie Eckhart, a spokesperson with Colorado Springs Utilities, said, “We are continuing to pursue technologies that will help us with blue-green algae in the future. In fact, there is some new equipment at the reservoir that we are just beginning to test.”
And on Monday, Colorado Springs Utilities was back on scene testing the water. Annually, CSU will test their reservoirs at least 12,000 times. Eckhart says this should not be an issue for drinking water.
“We have removed Pikeview as a source of drinking water for our system. As you probably know from driving by, it’s a very small reservoir and so it’s just a small piece from our overall system and we have removed it.”
Schnell, who normally likes to keep his fish after catching them, is now thinking twice before doing so.
“Fishing is always good, catching is better. Catching and not being able to take it home - that’d be kind of disappointing,” Schnell said.
The good news is that you can keep the fish as long as you thoroughly clean them and discard the guts. We will be sure to keep you updated with further results.
