'No obvious sign of algae' in Keeldra Lake, says local
A local told the Leitrim Observer that there were no “obvious signs of algae on the lake this morning (Thursday, 11 June) and there were two people swimming in the lake yesterday’.
Swimming has been temporarily banned at Keeldra Lough in Leitrim however a local who lives beside the lake this week told the Leitrim Observer that there are no signs of algae on the lake and there rarely is any aquatic organisms.
Damian Brennan told the Observer that there were no “obvious signs of algae on the lake this morning (Thursday, 11 June) and there were two people swimming in the lake yesterday.
Temporary bathing restrictions have been placed on the lough after the detection of elevated algae levels in a water sample taken on May 25, 2026.
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“Avoid all contact with water at this location,” said a spokesperson for Leitrim County Council.
The Council said the likely cause of the algae bloom is “an excessive level of nutrients” and warning signage has been erected close to the lough and the issue has been reported to the HSE.
It is believed that further testing will be carried out and the public will be advised when the restrictions are due to be lifted.
Mr Grennan continued: “ There was definitely no algae in it yesterday either. I live right beside the lake and as a community, generally, we do look after the lake and it’s walkway.”
He said that while he has seen algae on the lake from “time to time, normally it would be on a very still, sunny day. The water quality in it is perfect according to the reports that they’ve done but the algae is an issue from time to time, as it is with most lakes and it doesn’t generally interfere with swimming lessons etc.”
He said while he doesn’t know what is causing the algae, “a lot of investigation has been carried out and I’m sure there is a report on it.”
He said that he didn’t see “any big difference” in the lake compared to previous years. “I haven’t noticed any algae on the lake here so far but that’s not to say it wasn’t there on a day I wasn’t around. People swim there and a lot of people fish on the lake and occasionally, you might see a trace of algae on a calm day but that’s really about it.”
Both Leitrim County Council and the EPA have been contacted by the Leitrim Observer and we are still awaiting a response.