Minneapolis Beaches Under Blue-Green Algae Advisory

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — A hazardous algae advisory is in effect for both Lake Nokomis beaches after testing found elevated levels of a toxin associated with blue-green algae.

The advisory applies to Lake Nokomis Main Beach and Lake Nokomis 50th Street Beach, according to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.

The amount of microcystin, a chemical that blue-green algae can produce, exceeded the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s recommended standard for safe swimming at both beaches in this week’s samples, MPRB said.

Hot weather, sunny skies and water temperatures above 75 degrees can create ideal conditions for blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria.

Ingesting water with cyanobacteria can be harmful to people and pets, according to MPRB.

"When in doubt, stay out," MPRB said in its advisory.

MPRB offered the following recommendations while the advisory is in effect:

• Do not swim when a suspected hazardous algae bloom is present.
• Do not play in algae scum or mats in the water or on the shore.
• Keep children and pets out of blue-green algae scum.
• Do not swim in water that looks like "pea soup" or spilled paint floating on the surface.
• Avoid getting lake water in your mouth.
• Shower and rinse immediately after exposure to blue-green algae.
• Before cooking fish caught in the lake, throw away the guts and clean the fillet with tap or bottled water.

MPRB also recommends avoiding swimming for 48 hours after rainfall, when bacteria levels can be high, and towel drying after leaving the water to help prevent swimmer’s itch.

The advisory comes just days after MPRB investigated a fish kill at Lake Nokomis involving about 150 fish along the western lakeshore and near the boat launch.

MPRB said at the time that fish kills can happen in late spring or early summer as rapidly warming water stresses fish and makes them more vulnerable to disease.