The Prescott Valley Parks and Recreation Department has closed the Urban Forest/Yavapai Lakes (upper and lower) at Mountain Valley Park until further notice, due to a bacterial algae bloom caused by an earlier monsoon flood event.
Early last week the Game & Fish Department stocked the lakes at the Urban Forest at the park, and in the days following the lakes experienced a significant fish kill. Town staff cleaned the area of dead fish, and Game & Fish then returned, sampled the water, and discovered that it tested positive for Microcystin cells. Microcystin are a byproduct of a certain bacteria that can occur after large scale algae blooms, and at elevated levels can pose a health risk to humans and animals.
The past few weeks have produced warm, stagnant conditions preceded the large monsoon flood event. Floods typically bring the lake debris, silt, and nutrients that supply algae with the necessary food to thrive. The amount of Microcystin in the lake as well as the toxicity of the cells are not yet known. After discussions with the AZ Department of Environmental Quality, the Town posted informational signs, and out of an abundance of caution, closed the lakes until the quantity and levels of toxicity can be confirmed. Additional sampling and testing are in progress. Once results come back, the Town will determine when the lakes can be re-opened.
For more information, please call the Prescott Valley Parks and Recreation Department at 928-759-3090.
