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City of Fairmont, Minnesota
07/22/24
City of Fairmont, Minnesota

When temperatures climb and the summer sun beats down, conditions are ripe for Minnesota lakes to produce algae blooms.

Is it dangerous? Blue-green algae blooms are harmful when they produce toxins that can make humans and animals sick when consumed. Most blooms are not harmful. You can't tell by looking at a bloom if it is harmful or not. These blooms can be found everywhere in Minnesota, but thrive in warm, shallow, nutrient-rich lakes. They will often be found on the downwind side of a lake or in a secluded bay or shoreline.

How can I stay safe? During recreation, do not drink the water, and wash with fresh water afterwards. Do not use untreated water for cooking, drinking, and brushing teeth, especially for young children and infants. Supervise young children and infants when playing to avoid swallowing water, rinse them with fresh water after. Keep toys they may put in their mouths away from the water.

Can I still eat the fish? Fish that are caught in areas of a waterbody where major blue-green algae blooms are occurring may be safe to eat, as long as the guts are discarded.

What about my dog? Pets, especially dogs, are especially susceptible to harmful algae because they are relatively small and tend to swallow more water while swimming and playing. Dogs may ingest algae if they lick their coats after leaving the water. They are also less deterred by green, smelly water that may contain harmful algae. Keep them out of contaminated water. If needed, wash them off with freshwater immediately.

How can we eliminate harmful algae blooms?
• They are an inherent part of the overall algal community, we cannot eliminate them, but rather manage the frequency and intensity
• The best thing we can do is to reduce the amount of nutrients getting into the lake. This can best be accomplished by reducing the use of nutrients from lawn fertilizers, Keeping our storm drains clean, carefully managing nutrient application in cultivated fields, among other things. Our Adopt-a-Drain program is a great place to start!

More info on Adopt-A-Drain here:
More info on Blue Green Algae here: https://pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land-climate/…

Photo by/from Sommer Outdoors of north side of Hall Lake

#CItyofFairmont #fairmontlakes ... See MoreSee Less

When temperatures climb and the summer sun beats down, conditions are ripe for Minnesota lakes to produce algae blooms. Is it dangerous? Blue-green algae blooms are harmful when they produce toxins that can make humans and animals sick when consumed. Most blooms are not harmful. You cant tell by looking at a bloom if it is harmful or not. These blooms can be found everywhere in Minnesota, but thrive in warm, shallow, nutrient-rich lakes. They will often be found on the downwind side of a lake or in a secluded bay or shoreline. How can I stay safe? During recreation, do not drink the water, and wash with fresh water afterwards. Do not use untreated water for cooking, drinking, and brushing teeth, especially for young children and infants. Supervise young children and infants when playing to avoid swallowing water, rinse them with fresh water after. Keep toys they may put in their mouths away from the water. Can I still eat the fish? Fish that are caught in areas of a waterbody where major blue-green algae blooms are occurring may be safe to eat, as long as the guts are discarded. What about my dog? Pets, especially dogs, are especially susceptible to harmful algae because they are relatively small and tend to swallow more water while swimming and playing. Dogs may ingest algae if they lick their coats after leaving the water. They are also less deterred by green, smelly water that may contain harmful algae. Keep them out of contaminated water. If needed, wash them off with freshwater immediately. How can we eliminate harmful algae blooms? • They are an inherent part of the overall algal community, we cannot eliminate them, but rather manage the frequency and intensity • The best thing we can do is to reduce the amount of nutrients getting into the lake. This can best be accomplished by reducing the use of nutrients from lawn fertilizers, Keeping our storm drains clean, carefully managing nutrient application in cultivated fields, among other things. Our Adopt-a-Drain program is a great place to start! More info on Adopt-A-Drain here: https://mn.adopt-a-drain.org/ More info on Blue Green Algae here: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land-climate/blue-green-algae-and-harmful-algal-blooms Photo by/from Sommer Outdoors of north side of Hall Lake #CItyofFairmont #fairmontlakes
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