Is River Crest Lake safe to swim?

As of July 20, 2026, River Crest Lake in Red River County, Texas is not recommended for swimming. Satellite imagery measured 1,201,885 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

River Crest Lake is a lake in Red River County, Texas covering about 0.9 sq mi, the 164th-largest of the 218 lakes SwimZone monitors in Texas. Satellite imagery measured 1,201,885 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 7 summers of satellite monitoring since 2020, River Crest Lake has reached blue-green algae advisory levels in 7 of them, most recently in June 2026. This is a lake that blooms most summers. Its highest recorded reading was 2,442,660 cells/mL in August 2022.

Is it safe to swim in River Crest Lake right now?

River Crest Lake is not recommended for swimming today. Satellite imagery measured 1,201,885 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 River Crest Lake have blue-green algae (cyanobacteria)?

Yes. Satellite monitoring measured 1,201,885 cells/mL of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) at River Crest 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 River Crest Lake?

No. Blue-green algae at River Crest Lake is above the safe-contact threshold (1,201,885 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 River Crest Lake have blue-green algae blooms?

Over 7 summers of satellite monitoring since 2020, River Crest Lake has reached blue-green algae advisory levels in 7 of them, most recently in June 2026. This is a lake that blooms most summers. Its highest recorded reading was 2,442,660 cells/mL in August 2022.

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

Today, 78 Texas waters are above a safe-contact threshold and 85 more warrant caution, out of 399 monitored waters SwimZone tracks in the state.

How is River Crest 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 River Crest Lake, and a recent-rainfall overlay, all refreshed daily. It was last updated July 20, 2026.