Blue-Green Algae Advisory Issued for Three Polk County Lakes

Blue-Green Algae Caution Issued

• ⚠️ Polk County health officials have issued a caution regarding potentially toxic blue-green algae in three local lakes.
• 📌 The lakes currently being tested are Lake Krago near the boat ramp, Lake Pearson in Lake Wales, and Lake Hamilton in Dundee.

Health Risks and Precautions

• 🏊 The public is advised to avoid swimming in or drinking the water from these lakes.
• 🐶 Pets should also be kept away from the affected lake waters to prevent exposure.
• ⚡ Direct contact with toxic blue-green algae can lead to skin irritation, breathing difficulties, and stomach problems.

Algae Bloom Conditions

• 🌡️ Blue-green algae blooms can occur year-round but are typically favored by warm water temperatures, sunny days, and excess nutrients.
• 🔍 Officials emphasize that algae may be present even if a bloom is not visually apparent.

Monitoring and Information

• 🔬 Samples are currently being collected to determine if the algae is toxic.
• 💻 For ongoing updates on blue-green algae locations, residents can visit the fox13news.com website.