Officials issue safety measures for Lake Wylie’s blue-green algae

LAKE WYLIE, S.C. — Charlotte officials have issued safety measures after finding blue-green algae in Lake Wylie earlier this month.

On Monday, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services found active blue-green algae blooms in several places in Boyd’s Cove in Lake Wylie. A smaller bloom was also found near Saranita Lane in Snug Harbor Cove, close to the South Carolina line.

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The blooms’ ability to produce toxins has caused storm water services to caution those in Boyd’s Cove.

These recommendations may not apply to all of Snug Harbor Cove due to the limited nature of this bloom, but it is important to look for signs that a bloom is happening before getting into the water.

Signs of a bloom may include bright green, blue, discolored and/or scummy water. If you see any of these things, follow the safety measures below:

People and pets should not contact the water or algae.
Do not handle, cook or eat dead fish that may be present. Avoid fishing in the bloom area.
If you come into contact with an algal bloom, wash thoroughly.
Use clean water to rinse off pets that may have come into contact with an algal bloom.
If you or your child appears ill after being in waters containing an algal bloom, seek medical care immediately. Symptoms include loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, difficulty breathing, sore throat, itchy skin or rash.
If your pet appears to stumble, stagger or collapse after being in a pond, lake or river, seek veterinary care immediately.

Storm water services will continue its Lake Wylie assessments until no active blue-green algae blooms are observed for two weeks. The next assessment will be during the week of Sept. 20 and results will be reported.

More information is available here.

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