New Mexico Environment Department issues “Danger” algal bloom advisory at Charette Lake

Harmful algae blooms occur when certain algae grow excessively in water, posing potential health risks to people and animals.

Source: New Mexico Environment Department
Announced September 4, 2026
National Park Service Image: Courtesy

MORA COUNTY — The New Mexico Environment Department today issued a “DANGER” warning for a harmful algae bloom at Charette Lake near Wagon Mound after samples collected confirmed algae toxin levels above the advisory threshold.

Harmful algae blooms occur when certain algae grow excessively in water, posing potential health risks to people and animals. The harmful blooms can appear blue, bright green, brown or red and may resemble scum or floating grass clippings on the water’s surface. These blooms can produce toxins that are harmful to humans and animals.

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During a DANGER advisory for harmful algae blooms, NMED advises visitors to take the following precautions:

• Do not drink water or get the algae in your mouth.
• Do not swim, wade, paddleboard, boat or water ski.
• Keep dogs or other animals away.

• Eating fish at these toxin levels is not recommended, as the effects of harmful algae toxins in fish are not well understood. If you choose to fish, rinse fish with clean water prior to cooking thoroughly and eat only the fillet portion.

• If you suspect an algae-related illness, call the New Mexico Poison Information Center at (800) 222-1222. For illness in animals call (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 

NMED will continue to monitor the bloom and associated toxins as resources allow. The department reminds the public: if the water smells bad or looks scummy — like grass clippings floating on the surface, thick like paint or pea-green, blue-green, or brownish red in color — it’s best to stay out.  When in doubt, stay out.

More information about harmful algae can be found on the NMED’s HAB Advisory Map and HABs Webpage. For any questions, please reach out to the NMED Surface Water Quality Bureau Harmful Algal Bloom team atswqmonitoring@env.nm.gov.

NMSU Cooperative Extension Provides More Information on Harmful Algal Blooms (via Facebook)

It can be difficult to tell the difference between a harmful algal bloom (HAB) and a normal algal bloom. Most blooms are not toxic, but here is some advice if you do encounter a HAB.

• – Toxins are only released when the algal cells are broken and even then, most blooms don’t produce harmful levels of toxins.
• – Pump water from an infected pond about 2–3 yards below the surface to a water trough for drinking water for livestock.
• – Clean out water troughs regularly, keep them out of direct sunlight, and add a trace amount of copper to help prevent algal growth.
• – Treat the pond with copper sulfate before the bloom gets too large. Don’t let your animals drink from the site for at least 5 days after the last bloom.
• – Don’t let your animals swim in or drink from water that is discolored or has the appearance of algal mats/blooms.
• – If your animal seems to be showing symptoms of toxin exposure, contact your vet immediately.

Read more about this topic in this Extension publication: https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_w/W106/index.html