YPSILANTI, MI — The Washtenaw County Health Department and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued a public health advisory on Thursday, Aug. 6 that said there is a suspected Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) in Ypsilanti’s Ford Lake.
The department stated that people and pets should avoid direct body contact with any scums in the lake, water that is blue-green or looks like it has a green sheen on the surface, officials said in the release.
Officials also said that people and pets should avoid swallowing the lake water. The health department said that a resident near Ford Lake notified the MDHHS of a suspected HAB, describing the spot on the water that the resident described as looking like “spilled paint”.
A HAB occurs when colonies of algae — simple plants that live in the sea and freshwater — grow out of control and produce toxic or harmful effects on people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals and birds. The human illnesses caused by HABs, though rare, can be debilitating or even fatal, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
According to the release, officials said those visiting Ford Lake can and should do the following:
- Swim in the water but stay away from water that has scums or mats, looks like spilled paint, or has colored streaks.
- Keep children and pets away from algae in the water or on the shore.
- Do not let pets or livestock drink the water or eat scum on the shore.
- All fish should be caught and released and not consumed. Ford Lake is under a Do Not Eat Fish Advisory.
- Do not drink water from lakes, ponds, or rivers.
- Rinse people and pets off after swimming. When in doubt, keep people and pets out of the water.
- Call you doctor or veterinarian if you or your pet get sick after going in the water.
The United States Geological Services (USGS) is currently conducting monitoring of lakes and took two samples from Ford Lake in mid-July in partnership with Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE).
A follow up in late July by USGS didn’t confirm an active bloom in the lake at that time.
Suspicious looking Algae can be reported by calling 1-800-662-9278 or by sending an e-mail to AlgaeBloom@Michigan.gov.
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