Public access to Benton County lake temporarily closed due to harmful algal bloom

SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Public access at a Benton County lake is temporarily closed due to a harmful algal bloom, the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission’s Fisheries Division announced on Friday.

This comes after the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment’s Division of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) issued a harmful algal bloom advisory for Lake Flint Creek (also known as Lake SWEPCO) on September 24.

The Fisheries Division said AGFC and the Southwestern Electric Power Company explained the bloom was not detected in the lake itself but in a pond that discharges into the lake.

Shanda Hunter, corporate communications specialist for SWEPCO, released a statement to AGFC and said the discovery came from the lake’s environmental team members monitoring the ponds after they became aware of algal blooms in nearby locations.

“Algae was observed, and out of an abundance of caution, we engaged subject matter experts and specialized laboratory professionals. We have received confirmation from the lab that the algae in the pond is cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae. We are working closely with local leaders, state agencies and the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality to ensure public safety and have restricted public access to Flint Creek Lake and part of the Eagle Watch Nature Trail closest to the lake. Additional testing and monitoring are ongoing, and we will continue to update the public if the situation changes.”

Shanda Hunter with SWEPCO

Hunter also said the part of the Eagle Watch Nature Trail from the trailhead to the first pavilion will stay open, however, signs are in place to prevent access to the closed areas.

AGFC says blue-green algae blooms are common in Arkansas and usually short-lived.

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