Even before the first official day of summer, we have our first water quality alert for an area lake.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board issued a hazardous algae advisory for Lake Nokomis's Main and 50th Street Beaches due to blue-green algae.
Blue-green algae, which is present in lakes throughout Minnesota, are not algae at all, but a type of bacteria called cyanobacteria. In the right conditions they can grow quickly to form “blooms”.
That plant produces a bacteria that can make humans ill with flu like symptoms, rashes and headaches. The algae can be fatal to dogs.
Officials say they'll test the water regularly and reopen the beaches when levels are safe again.
So far, Nokomis is the only lake with an unsafe advisory. The Park Board says you should not enter the water if you see blue-green algae. Blue-green algae blooms and scum can move with the wind, so blooms will shift around the lake depending on weather conditions.
You can find all of the water testing information for the city's lakes on the Minneapolis Park Board website.
A hazardous algae advisory has been issued for Lake Nokomis
A hazardous algae advisory has been issued for Lake Nokomis
