Algae in Lake Winnebago at High Cliff State Park in Sherwood, July 11, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online
LAKE WINNEBAGO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Summer brings risk of harmful blue-green algae to Lake Winnebago.
The Winnebago County Health Department is warning of blue-green algae. It can make people and pets sick.
If you plan on hitting the lake this summer, be aware of water that looks like pea-soup, has a scum layer or puffy blobs floating on the surface. There’s a good chance it’s blue-green algae.
“If you see that at a beach or a swimming area, I would just stay out of the water,” said Morgan Peterson, Environmental Health Specialist with the Winnebago County Health Department. “And that’s the biggest thing, when you’re in doubt, if you kind of see any of those signs, stay out of the water.”
Peterson says blue-green algae is common in Lake Winnebago between June and September.
“We’ve been seeing it more and more in May with those warmer temperatures,” said Peterson.
The weather has a lot to do with how algae blooms occur.
Gina LaLiberte, statewide harmful alga bloom coordinator with the Wisconsin DNR, says the blue-green algae blooms have been popping up on Green Bay and on Lake Winnebago because of low wind speeds.
“It’s been pretty calm out there so that’s allowed some really significant scums to develop,” said LaLiberte.
Experts say to avoid swimming in these conditions. There is a high risk of illness from swallowing or inhaling blue-green algae.
“If you’re swallowing in water, it tends to be GI type symptoms so vomiting, diarrhea,” said LaLiberte. “There are some toxins that are neurotoxins that we tend to see those affects the most in animals because they drink a lot of water and may be more susceptible to them than people are.”
“We highly recommend showering after swimming in the water, really any time of the summer, and pets, not letting them lick their fur, especially if there’s algae on the fur,” said Peterson. “Giving them a nice bath after as well.”
But not all algae in Lake Winnebago is bad. Some may be unpleasant to wade through, but won’t harm you.
“Filamentous green algae looks like green hair in the water,” said LaLiberte. “It’s really long, it’s sort of slippery feeling.”
Once cooler weather hits, Peterson says the blue-green algae will begin to disappear.
“The season is kind of getting longer and longer with warmer temperatures in September, but once everything cools off, that’s usually when it happens,” said Peterson.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services tracks illnesses related to blue-green algae. If you get sick after swimming, report your illness by calling 608-266-1120 or by taking an online survey.
For more information about blue-green algae, click here.
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