Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE – Beginning the weekend before Memorial Day and extending through Labor Day, the Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams will release weekly algae toxin notifications to inform the community about potentially harmful levels of blue-green algae toxins that occur in Kosciusko County lakes.
Sign up for toxin notifications at lakes.grace.edu/microcystin.
Blue-green algae are a toxin-producing cyanobacteria species that naturally occurs in lakes which are overabundant in nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus. However, the presence of blue-green algae does not immediately indicate the presence of microcystin toxin in the water. Not every species of blue-green algae produces toxins, and even the species that are toxin-producing are not always guaranteed to release microcystin. Because of this fluctuation, the Lilly Center tests lakes weekly to ensure data is up to date and reliable, according to a news release from the Lilly Center.
Each week the Lilly Center’s research team collects water samples from the lake. These samples are then sent to the algae research lab for analysis, where tests are performed to determine whether the water sample contains the toxin microcystin. Those signed up to receive notifications can expect an email on Friday morning with a link to the full results of the toxin analysis.
It is important to note that the safety threshold for microcystin toxin levels varies for people and pets. Pets have a lower threshold at 0.8 parts per billion (ppb) while humans have a threshold of 8.0 ppb. This considers the likelihood of pets ingesting larger quantities of lake water than a person typically would.
Sign up for summer microcystin notifications by visiting lakes.grace.edu/microcystin. It is an easy way to stay informed this season, so that days spent on the lake stay fun and worry-free.
Blue-green algae research and toxin notifications are possible thanks to support from the K21 Health Foundation, Kosciusko County Convention, Recreation & Visitor Commission, city of Warsaw and many other individual supporters.
