NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – The New Mexico Environment Department issued a warning visitors to use caution at certain lakes around New Mexico due to the formation of harmful algae blooms.

NMED said visitors to Quemado Lake, Snow Lake, and Hopewell Lake should be cautious due to the harmful algae. Earlier blooms were found at Charette Lake, Clayton Lake and Lake Maloya. Harmful algae blooms occur when certain types of algae overgrow in water, posing a potential health risk. They can appear blue, bright green, brown, or red and resemble scum or floating grass clippings on the water’s surface. The blooms can produce harmful toxins.

NMED is urging visitors to take the following precautions: • Do not drink untreated surface water. • Avoid swimming in algae blooms. • Rinse fish with clean water

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