Effective today – Wednesday, July 24 – the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) has issued a hazardous algae advisory for Lake Nokomis Main Beach. Staff have deployed advisory-related signage at that location.
MPRB’s water quality monitoring for blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) toxins found that Microcystin levels exceeded state-specified MPCA guidelines in the sample for that location.
All samples from other MPRB Beaches have acceptable results for cyanobacteria sampling.
Recommendations for an ADVISORY
- Ingesting water with cyanobacteria can be harmful to humans and pets.
- When in doubt, stay out: Do not swim when a suspected hazardous algae bloom is present.
- Don’t play in algae scum or mats in the water or on the shore.
- Before cooking any fish caught in the lake, throw away guts and clean fillet with tap or bottled water.
- If exposed to blue green algae, shower and rinse immediately.
Up-to-date information regarding harmful algae sampling results and advisories is available on MPRB’s interactive map at bit.ly/mplsbeaches.
Swim Healthy 2024
- Don’t swim if you or your child have diarrhea or are sick.
- Be careful to not get lake water in your mouth.
- Wash your hands before eating and after changing a diaper.
- Avoid swimming for 48 hours after a rainfall when bacteria levels can be high.
- Towel dry immediately after exiting the water to prevent Swimmer’s Itch.
- Do not swim in water that looks like “pea soup” or spilled paint floating on the surface: Learn how to recognize and respond to blue-green algae.
- Keep children and pets out of blue-green algae scum
More information on blue-green algae
Blue-green algae and harmful algal blooms (HABs) – Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Preventing Harmful Algal Bloom-Related Illness – Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
MDH Fact Sheets
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