Ten lakes in Kosciusko and Whitley Counties were randomly selected for testing the first week of September for blue-green algae and the algal toxin Microcystin. Microcystin is a toxin that is created by some types of algae called blue-green algae. Direct contact with algal toxins can cause skin irritation. Drinking untreated water, intentionally or accidentally, may result in gastrointestinal illness and more severe liver and neurological damage. Pets and farm animals have died from drinking water containing toxic blue-green algae (or licking their wet hair/fur/ paws after they have been in the water).
What Should I Look for to Avoid Toxic Algae?
The toxic strains of blue-green algae usually have heavy surface growths of pea green colored clumps, scum or streaks, with a disagreeable odor and taste. It can have a thickness similar to motor oil and often looks like thick paint in the water. Algae blooms usually accumulate near the shoreline where pets and children have easy access and the water is shallow and more stagnant.
While there are no U.S. standards regulating algal cell counts, the World Health Organization designates risk categories for recreational contact with water.
|
Relative Probability of Acute Health Effects |
Cyanobacteria (Blue-green algae) (cell/mL) |
Microcystin (ug/L) |
|
Low |
< 20, 000 |
< 10 |
|
Moderate |
20,000-100,000 |
10-20 |
|
High |
100,000-10 million |
20-2,000 |
Based on results of 10 lake samples collected in nearshore areas with current or recent algae blooms, these lakes fall into the following categories:
Kosciusko County:
Wawasee - High
James Lake (Little Tippy) - Moderate
Lake Tippecanoe - Moderate
Sawmill - Moderate
Irish - Moderate
Sechrist - Low
Webster - Low
Whitley County
Old - High
Loon - Moderate
Crooked - Moderate
If You or Your Pets are Recreating in the Lake, Take Common Sense Precautions
For more information on blue-green algae, visit Indiana's Blue-Green Algae Web site. To read the full version of this article, go to www.telwf.org.
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