Folks are encountering leeches after swimming in the Highland Lakes (lakes Buchanan, Travis and LBJ).

Leeches are fairly common in freshwater, and many fishing lures attempt to imitate leeches. LCRA is receiving calls from people referring to the leeches and the abundance of filamentous algae or other aquatic vegetation. The vegetation likely is acting as a refuge or hiding place for the leeches this season.

Leeches are not harmful. About the only worry is the possibility of a secondary infection from a "leech bite."

More questions? Try this Texas A&M University Web site with information about leeches. http://wildlife.tamu.edu/publications/a1101.pdf.