Wyoming Lake Labeled as Degraded by State Agency

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality has classified a lake in the northwest part of the state as a degraded waterway.

Brooks Lake is located in the Shoshone National Forest in Fremont County.

The lake has seen seasonal algae blooms that on the worst occasions have triggered severe fish kills.

State environmental regulators say nearby horse corrals and a wastewater lagoon associated with a lodge next to the lake contributed to the problems.

The owners of the Brooks Lake Lodge have spent over $400,000 to replace the wasterwater lagoons with a new system.

Lodge representative Jeff Golightly says the new listing memorializes a historic event that he believes no longer reflects the reality today.