Algae blooms and high water slow down tourist season at Harlan County

ALMA, Neb. — It's been a bit of a weird year in Harlan County Lake.

Extreme moisture this spring and summer has caused record levels in the lake, and now a blue-green algae bloom has kept folks out of the water.

It has been challenging for the tourist season, but the businesses and workers around Harlan County say there is still plenty to see and do at the lake.

Things have been a little slower in Alma with the problems the lake has been having, but it's not all bad.

Business owners in town have noticed that while there might be slightly fewer people visiting, those that do have been spending more time and money in town rather than the lake.

"Yeah, maybe a few less, however the people that are coming to town are spending more time in town because they have more time on their hands. It's not, let's just get on the lake because it's time, you know?" said President of the Alma Chamber of Commerce Terri Bach.

The Army Corps of Engineers has also been looking at the silver lining this summer.

While it's been stressful managing a lake that is at its highest levels ever recorded, the corps is thankful they are able to utilize new renovations that wouldn't have been available had the high waters come last year.

"With the renovations we had on our flood gates, we are able to raise that lake up onto those gates, when probably last year they wouldn't have let us," said Operations Manager for the Harlan County Dam Larry Janicek.

Even though it's not ideal, the tourist season at the lake goes on, and locals around Harlan County are looking on the bright side of things.

"It's important to know we are still in business, still a wonderful community, there is still lake to be had and access to the lake," said Bach

"We still have boat ramps open, they can fish, they can eat the fish with any fish you want to cook it good anyway. You can still enjoy the lake, be out on it. They just don't recommend being in it," said Janicek.

While the blue–green algae bloom will keep you out of the water, businesses in Harlan County say there is still plenty to do if you come to the lake.

There are sights to see in Alma and Republican City and if you would like to go on the lake, boating is still safe and you can eat fish you catch. Just make sure you yourself stay out of the water.