ST. PAUL, Minn. – A hot June has accelerated the arrival of potentially toxic blue-green algae on lakes and ponds, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said. It’s like August already. Blue-green algae “blooms” have a thick, cloudy appearance like green paint, pea soup, or floating mats of scum. “Most blue-green algae are not toxic, but there is no way to visually identify whether a particular bloom contains toxins,” the agency said. “The best option is to stay away from the water until rainfall, wind shifts, or cooler temperatures disrupt the algae’s growth.” Every summer the agency receives reports of dogs dying soon after playing near lakes or slow-flowing streams. What to do? Hose the dog off right away, before it has a chance to lick itself clean. The toxins can also sicken humans. The message: Avoid contact. The odor and appearance tend to keep people out of the water, but the effects are nausea and skin, eye, nose and throat irritation.
Boller’s Lake. The Goodview lake is vulnerable to excess nutrients that spawn algae, which already is forming along the shore. Boller’s Lake feeds Lake Winona through Gilmore Creek. Image: Steve Lunde