COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – An algae bloom issue at a Hillsdale County lake is being dealt with by the Branch-St. Joseph-Hillsdale Community Health Agency’s Environmental Public Health Services.
Director of Environmental Health Paul Andriacchi reported to the Board of Health Thursday that they recently received a call from the Lake Leann Homeowners Association in Hillsdale County with concerns about a white foam and a blueish green sheen on the lake.
The information was passed along to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy office in Lansing.
Andriacchi says the lab tests of the water samples collected by the state confirmed the presence of microcystins, which is a toxin produced by certain types of blue-green algae at a level above the health standard.
With the arrival of colder temperatures, Andriachhi says the algae should die out very quickly and end any potential illnesses from the toxins, but lake residents should still take precautions.
Lake residents were told to avoid all body contact with the water in the North Lake. They were also told to keep pets away from the water and to spray down any water craft with fresh water after it’s removed from the lake.
