HARVEY -- The North Dakota Department of Health is asking people not to swim in the Harvey Reservoir in Wells County because of a dangerous algae.
The algae blooms when temperatures are high and can cause humans and animals to become sick.
Exposure from ingesting affected water can cause illness in people and animals, and can result in death, the health department said.
"If you've got an algae bloom going on you want to avoid that. Stay away from it. Because you know if you're swallowing that water, you're getting that toxin in your body," said Allen McKay, Lake Region District Health Unit.
Blue green algae can bloom in any body of water and people should steer clear of water that is discolored or has a bad odor.
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Blue green algae has also found in larger bodies of water like Devils Lake along the shoreline.
