What is a toxic blue-green algae Health Alert?
The Health Alert designation means that the state believes that the level of toxins in the water make it potentially unsafe for full-body recreational activities, such as swimming. The toxin being measured is microcystin, which is generated from certain strains of blue-green algae. During a Health Alert at a public lake, signs will be posted advising the public to use caution. Affected swimming beaches will be closed. Boating and other recreational activities will be allowed, but the public will be advised to use caution and avoid prolonged exposure to the water, particularly avoiding any activity that could lead to drinking the water. The level to trigger a Health Alert declaration is 20 parts per billion of the toxin Microcystin. Lakes under Health Alert will be sampled weekly, and the Health Alert will stay in effect until the level stays below 20 parts per billion for two consecutive weeks. What is toxic blue-green algae? Although it technically is not a true algae, what is commonl
The Health Alert designation means that the state believes that the level of toxins in the water make it potentially unsafe for full-body recreational activities, such as swimming. The toxin being measured is microcystin, which is generated from certain strains of blue-green algae. During a Health Alert at a public lake, signs will be posted advising the public to use caution. Affected swimming beaches will be closed. Boating and other recreational activities will be allowed, but the public will be advised to use caution and avoid prolonged exposure to the water, particularly avoiding any activity that could lead to swallowing the water. The level to trigger a Health Alert declaration is 20 parts per billion of the toxin microcystin. Lakes under Health Alert will be sampled weekly, and the Health Alert will stay in effect until the level stays below 20 parts per billion for two consecutive weeks. What is toxic blue-green algae? Although it technically is not a true algae, what is commo
