Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE — This week, the Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams identified a toxic blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) bloom at Syracuse Community Beach.
As a result, the Lilly Center urges lake residents to exercise caution and look for visible signs of a blue-green algae bloom such a green streaking or an oil spill-like appearance. When in doubt, stay out, according to a news release from the Lilly Center.
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management's microcystin algae toxin threshold for pet safety is 0.8 parts per billion (ppb) and 8.0 ppb for human safety. Lilly Center lab results showed a toxin level of 10.63 ppb this week.
The community is encouraged to take precautionary measures including avoiding contact with the bloom, avoiding ingesting toxin-laden water and using soapy water to wash off lake water. Pet owners are encouraged to keep their pets out of the water until after the bloom has disappeared.
The main body of Syracuse Lake did not have detectable levels of microcystin, the release states.
Toxic algae blooms often form in protected areas of the lake, such as channels or shorelines, where the water is warm and still. Windblown currents may concentrate blue-green algae along a shoreline, resulting in elevated toxin levels.
A blue-green algae bloom sometime has visible signs. A bloom will often have a pea soup or paint spill-like appearance and often be bright green or blue. Performing the “stick test” will help you identify the difference between harmless green algae and potentially toxic blue-green algae. Green algae is stringy and will hang off the stick, but blue-green algae will simply stir like paint.
If you spot a blue-green algae bloom or something you cannot identify, report it to the Lilly Center by emailing lakes@grace.edu or calling 574-372-5281.
Supported by the K21 Health Foundation and the Kosciusko County Convention, Recreation and Visitor Commission, the Lilly Center conducts weekly sampling on 16 lakes and at seven public beaches throughout Kosciusko County. Samples are processed in the Lilly Center's lab, and results are posted to the center’s website (lakes.grace.edu/microcystin) each Friday through Labor Day.
Toxic blue-green algae blooms impact the local economy, recreation and quality of life. Lake RX is the Lilly Center’s plan to create thriving communities by increasing the health of local lakes. Holistic, long-term solutions will reduce threats to human health like microcystin, making Kosciusko County a better place to live, work and play.
Sign up for the Lilly Center’s monthly e-newsletter to stay up to date on Lake RX: lakes.grace.edu/signup.
