ALLEGAN COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The Allegan County Health Department and state officials are warning of suspected blue-green algae, or a cyanobacterial bloom, in Swan Lake located in Cheshire Township.
ACHD is recommending visitors and residents of the lake to avoid water-related activities and keep pets from drinking the lake water, in the area where the
Harmful Algal Blooms. (Photo courtesy Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)).
bloom is visible, until sampling for cyanotoxin testing is complete or the bloom dissipates.
Summer is peak season for the formation of harmful algal blooms (HABs) that can present health hazards to people and pets.
In Michigan, algal blooms typically occur during periods of warm temperatures, lots of sun, and high nutrient levels.
The department says it is not possible to determine whether algal blooms contain harmful toxins by looking at them, so it is best to avoid contact with any body of water that is covered with algal mats or significant rafts of algae on the surface.
Actions to take in the Areas where the Bloom is Visible:
- Avoid areas with scummy water in the lake or with water that looks like spilled paint or has a green sheen to it. These scums may contains flecks, foam or clumps.
- Avoid water-related activities in areas where the bloom is visible. Individuals that have skin contact, swallow large amounts, or play in the water are susceptible to illness. Read more here.
- Keep pets from drinking or playing in the lake water. Symptoms of illness from cyanotoxins often appear quicker in animals than in humans – sometimes in minutes to a few hours. Symptoms in animals can include vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, staggered walking, excessive salivation, convulsions, erratic behavior, or physical distress.
- Dogs should be thoroughly rinsed off or bathed with fresh water after contact with water that may contain algae, even if it’s not toxic algae.
ACHD will provide additional updates once more information is received.
For more information on HABs, visit www.michigan.gov/habs.
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