PERU — Blue-green algae, which has recently been tied to the deaths of dogs in several states and can make humans sick, has been detected at multiple lakes across central Indiana.
On Friday, Indiana State Parks updated their list of affected lakes and the algae levels found.
The alert risk at the beach at Mississinew Lake has been upgraded to the "Caution" level, which means swimming and boating are still permitted, but children and those with compromised immune systems should not swim.
Officials say to avoid swallowing water while swimming and to take a bath or shower with warm soapy water after coming in contact with lake water.
Officials also say not to allow your pets to swim or drink water where algae are present.
"Although our test results are specifically for the beach where pets are not permitted to swim, per our property rules please keep pets out of the water along shallow banks and the shoreline. It is difficult to prevent them from drinking the water or licking their fur after swimming, and their internal organs may be affected more quickly," the parks posted on their social media page.
The following beaches and lakes remain at the "Alert" level this week for blue-green algae, which means swimming and boating are permitted, but precautions should be taken and anyone who swims should immediately shower after they are out.
- Potato Creek (Worster Lake)
- Whitewater Memorial State Park
- Paynetown and Fairfax SRAs (Monroe Lake)
- Racoon SRA (Cecil M. Harden Lake)
- Hardy Lake, Quakertown and Mounds SRAs (Brookville Lake)
Kunkel Lake at Ouabache State Park has been downgraded to a "Low Risk" for blue-green algae, which means it is mostly safe. Swimmers should not drink the water and should shower after they are done. All other affected lakes not listed above remain at a low risk for blue-green algae this week.
So far, IDEM has detected the toxic algae in the following lakes this month:
- Fort Harrison State Park Dog Park Lake
- North Route:
- Potato Creek State Park - Worster Lake
- Mississinewa Lake - Miami State Recreation Area
- Salamonie Lake - Lost Bridge West SRA
- Sand Lake – Chain O’Lakes State Park
- Lake James - Pokagon State Park
- Lake James - Pokagon State Park Inn
- Kunkel Lake - Ouabache State Park
- South Route
- Lake Monroe - Paynetown SRA
- Lake Monroe - Fairfax SRA
- Starve Hollow Lake - Starve Hollow SRA
- Hardy Lake – Hardy Lake State Recreation Area
- Cecil M. Harden Lake - Raccoon Lake SRA
- Brookville Lake - Mounds SRA
- Brookville Lake - Quakertown SRA
- Whitewater Lake - Whitewater Memorial State Park
- Deam Lake – Deam Lake SRA
One family in North Carolina had taken their three dogs to a pond, and all three got sick. Two of the dogs started having seizures almost immediately.
Unfortunately, all three died within two days.
Vets say to get medical attention as soon as possible if you think your pet is sick from algae., which can stick on a dogs fur and cause issues beyond the time they swam.
Blue-green algae is usually found in shallow water when it gets hot outside. IDEM says they will continue to sample and update their website of their findings til the week of August 26.
