Is New Year Lake safe to swim?

As of July 20, 2026, New Year Lake in Washoe County, Nevada is not recommended for swimming. Satellite imagery measured 701,105 cells/mL of blue-green algae on July 19, 2026, above the 100,000 cells/mL advisory threshold. Rainfall over the past week totaled 0.0 in, which can wash bacteria and nutrients into the water.

How this read is built

New Year Lake is a lake in Washoe County, Nevada covering about 2.1 sq mi, the 14th-largest of the 47 lakes SwimZone monitors in Nevada. Satellite imagery measured 701,105 cells/mL of blue-green algae on July 19, 2026, above the 100,000 cells/mL advisory threshold.

Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms are most common from midsummer into early fall, when the water is warm, calm, and rich in nutrients from runoff. They can produce toxins that make people sick and can be rapidly fatal to dogs, so skip water that looks green, scummy, or like spilled paint, and keep children and pets out of it.

Over 6 summers of satellite monitoring since 2020, New Year Lake has not reached a blue-green algae advisory level. Conditions can still change quickly, so check the current read before you swim.

Is it safe to swim in New Year Lake right now?

New Year Lake is not recommended for swimming today. Satellite imagery measured 701,105 cells/mL of blue-green algae on July 19, 2026, above the 100,000 cells/mL advisory threshold. Conditions can change quickly with wind, heat, and rain, so check the posted signs and look at the water before you get in.

Does New Year Lake have blue-green algae (cyanobacteria)?

Yes. Satellite monitoring measured 701,105 cells/mL of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) at New Year Lake on July 19, 2026, above the 100,000 cells/mL advisory level. Avoid swimming and keep children and pets out of the water.

Can dogs swim in New Year Lake?

No. Blue-green algae at New Year Lake is above the safe-contact threshold (701,105 cells/mL on July 19, 2026). Cyanobacteria toxins can be rapidly fatal to dogs, which swallow it while swimming and lick it from their fur. Keep dogs out of the water and away from any scum along the shore.

How often does New Year Lake have blue-green algae blooms?

Over 6 summers of satellite monitoring since 2020, New Year Lake has not reached a blue-green algae advisory level. Conditions can still change quickly, so check the current read before you swim.

How many Nevada lakes and beaches are unsafe for swimming today?

Today, 13 Nevada waters are above a safe-contact threshold and 1 more warrant caution, out of 50 monitored waters SwimZone tracks in the state.

How is New Year Lake's water quality measured?

SwimZone builds this read from EPA CyAN satellite imagery for blue-green algae, official beach and fecal-bacteria advisories where a program monitors New Year Lake, and a recent-rainfall overlay, all refreshed daily. It was last updated July 20, 2026.