Plymouth city officials are warning residents about a potentially toxic algae bloom in Medicine Lake.
The city posted an alert last week about the blue-green algae bloom on the lake that might be toxic to people and animals. The presence of the algae has been confirmed by visual observations, but the water has not been tested.
People should stay away from the water, the city said. Officials warned that “touching, swallowing or inhaling the water droplets may lead to exposure.” Exposure to algal toxins can cause severe illness or discomfort, they said.
Medicine Lake did have water quality concerns earlier this summer, as did Parkers Lake. City beaches closed for the season earlier this month. Algae has been a problem in the Twin Cities metro for years, including at larger lakes like Bde Maka Ska. The rainy summer led to several beaches being closed when bacteria levels increased.
Algae blooms often are caused by excessive nutrients in water, officials said. “Sources may include storm water runoff and overfertilization of lawns.”
It’s not clear how long the bloom could last and how long it could affect Medicine Lake.
