Hot Air Balloon Pilot Grounded For Dipping Into Lake With Harmful Algae

From CBS Denver:

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO (AP) — A Colorado Springs balloon festival has grounded a pilot for briefly touching down in a lake that was off-limits because of a harmful algae. The Gazette reports the pilot dipped his balloon’s basket into Prospect Lake on Sunday before quickly lifting off again, a maneuver called a “splash and dash.”

All the pilots in the festival were told not to touch down in the lake because of the presence of blue-green algae, which can be fatal to dogs and make humans sick. The city has banned anyone from wading, swimming, boating and paddle boarding in the lake.

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