Manitowoc outdoors: Blue-green algae poses risk on Wisconsin waters

Bob Schuh

For USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Blue-green algae are photosynthetic bacteria known as cyanobacteria and are a natural part of water bodies in Wisconsin. With enough sunlight and nutrients, cyanobacteria can grow to high levels and form a blue-green algae bloom.

Blooms are often smelly, look like spilled paint or pea soup, and can change the color of the water to green, blue, turquoise, purple, tan or white. Some blooms form a layer of scum or mats on the surface of the water.

Blue-green algae blooms can produce toxins, called cyanotoxins. Cyanotoxins can make people and animals sick after they swallow, breathe in or have contact with the water. Many dogs have become sick and some have even died after swallowing water containing cyanotoxins.

An outbreak of blue-green algae was reported in June on Long Lake near Brillion.

Pets are especially susceptible to blue-green algae because they don't naturally avoid smelly, green water. Because of their relatively small size, animals do not need to ingest very much tainted water to become ill.

Many dogs have gotten sick and some have died as a result of drinking water experiencing an algal bloom or licking their fur after swimming in algae-filled waters. When dogs swim and play in water, they tend to swallow water. Because dogs have smaller bodies, they can get sick after swallowing just a little bit of unsafe water.

If you think you are experiencing symptoms related to exposure to blue-green algae (e.g., stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, fever, muscle weakness, difficulty breathing), contact your doctor or the Wisconsin Poison Center (800-222-1222) right away.

If your pet displays symptoms such as seizures, vomiting or diarrhea after contact with surface water, contact your veterinarian right away.

To report an algae bloom, email DNRHABS@wisconsin.gov. Include the bloom size, duration and location with water body name, town name and county name. Submit photos for verification, including closeups and overall views.

Most local health departments in Wisconsin and Manitowoc County do not have the capacity to monitor blue-green algae toxins at public beaches, so treat any accumulation of blue-green algae with caution. When in doubt, stay out!

• Glacierland Resource Conservation & Development is seeking a part-time watercraft inspector for the summer of 2020 in Manitowoc County.

The primary duty of this position will be implementing a Clean Boats Clean Waters Program by conducting boat inspections at local boat landings, educating the public about preventing aquatic invasive species, and collecting and submitting data to the Wisconsin DNR.

This position is dependent on funding from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and is anticipated to begin July 1 and run through Sept. 30.

Purpose and role: Inspectors work at public water access sites educating the public by providing information to watercraft users and conducting a brief survey while inspecting watercraft for invasive species. Other duties include working closely with Clean Boats Clean Waters volunteers.

The watercraft inspector will:

Complete Clean Boats Clean Waters training;
Inspect watercraft and trailers for invasive species;
Educate the public on how to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species;
Distribute informational materials to boaters;
Conduct a verbal survey and enter data to the SWIMS online database; and
Participate in statewide-led efforts including Drain Campaign, AIS Snapshot Day, Landing Blitz and Project RED.

Qualifications include the following:

Excellent communication skills with the general public;
Attention to detail and record-keeping;
Interest in water quality issues and education;
Reliable transportation and valid driver’s license;
Ability to work during peak boating hours including weekends and some holidays; and
Experience and/or education relevant to water resources or invasive species management is appreciated, but not required.

Compensation: This position will pay $12 per hour. The average work week is 15 hours per week and includes work on weekends and holidays.

Application deadline: Open until filled. Interested applicants should email a cover letter and résumé, along with three references, to office@glacierlandrcd.org. Questions can be directed to Kari Divine at office@glacierlandrcd.org or 920-465-3006.

• Preliminary totals show Wisconsin turkey hunters registered 44,963 birds during the 2020 spring turkey hunting season, nearly a 17% increase from the 38,576 birds registered in the 2019 season.

The 2020 youth season resulted in a total of 2,880 birds registered, up 47% from 1,953 in 2019.

Harvest increased significantly across all zones and time periods compared to 2019 levels. Although snow was persistent this winter in the northern half of the state, there were few long-lasting cold snaps, favorable spring brooding conditions in 2019 and late-standing crops in many areas of the state, leading to a healthy and robust turkey population entering the spring season. Weather conditions were optimal for almost every period of the 2020 turkey season.

"The 2020 spring turkey season represents the highest harvest since 2016 and the second-highest harvest since 2010," said Mark Witecha, Department of Natural Resources upland wildlife ecologist. "Good weather and enhanced opportunity for hunters this season likely contributed some to increased harvest, but ultimately we continue to have one of the healthiest turkey flocks in the nation here in Wisconsin."

A total of 224,452 harvest authorizations were issued for the 2020 spring turkey season, a 5% increase from 2019, with 132,037 harvest authorizations awarded through the drawing and 92,415 sold over the counter.

Zone 1 produced the highest overall harvest at 11,689 birds, followed by Zones 3 and 2. Hunters registered 11,264 birds in Zone 3 and 10,934 birds in Zone 2. Manitowoc County is part of Zone 2.

Overall, the statewide success rate was 20% compared to 18.1% in 2019. The 2020 spring season started April 11 with the Youth Hunt. The regular season began April 15 and ran through May 26 with six separate time periods. Having separate periods allows for maximum hunter opportunities with a minimum amount of interference while ensuring a sustainable harvest.

• After a great deal of consideration, President Mike Heinzen announced the Northeastern Wisconsin Great Lakes Sport Fishermen Board of Directors decided to cancel the annual Salmon Derby in Manitowoc.

The derby had been scheduled for July 3-5 this year at the Manitowoc Marina. The NEWGLSF Board felt the risk to public safety, and the health risk to the many volunteers needed to run the Salmon Derby, was too great given the COVID-19 concerns.

Northeastern Wisconsin Great Lakes Sport Fishermen plans to be back with its Salmon Derby in 2021.

"We wish to thank our past sponsors and participants for your continued support of the Salmon Derby," organizers said. "The club would also like to point out that the yearlong NEWGLSF fishing contest will continue through the end of this year as planned. The yearlong fishing contest is open to all NEWGLSF members and contest details are on the Events page of the club website, www.newglsf.org. Interested persons can also find a membership form on the website to become a NEWGLSF member."

That’s it for this week, so have fun in the great outdoors.

Bob Schuh: 920-682-3106 or bobschuh@lsol.net

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