Indianapolis News and Headlines

Actions

Going into the water? Beware of blue-green algae

Going into the water? Beware of blue-green algae
Posted at 7:03 AM, Jul 24, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-24 07:03:51-04

INDIANAPOLIS -- If you're heading out to an Indiana lake for some relaxation, make sure you're aware of blue-green algae in the area.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources posted advisories for a few Indiana lakes, warning about exposure to the algae. 

The following lakes have a "yellow diamond," meaning an advisory to the algae: 

  • Salamonie Lake
  • Mississinewa Lake
  • Cecil M. Harden Lake (Raccoon SRA)
  • Brookville Lake (Mounds SRA and Quakertown SRA)
  • Whitewater Memorial State Park
  • Chain O’Lakes State Park
  • Potato Creek State Park
  • Hardy Lake

The advisory means you can still swim and boat in the lakes, but you should avoid direct contact with the algae. 

Don't drink the water, and shower after you swim. Keep your pets out of the water, or at least bathe them after swimming.

Exposure to blue-green algae can lead to rashes, skin, eye irritation, and effects such as nausea, stomach aches, and tingling in fingers and toes.

The algae comes from excess or or misapplied fertilizers or runoff from nearby systems. 

For more information on blue-green algae, click here.

MORE TOP STORIES | Police release sketch of Delphi suspect | Source: Richard Grundy III had a $50K bounty on his head, may have been target in funeral ambush | Mom, premature baby back in Indiana after Mexican hospital demanded $30K following delivery | PC: Indianapolis man killed over missing drugs belonging to the 'Mexican Mafia' | 3 men killed in shooting on Indy's north side identified