Mecklenburg County issued the following announcement on Nov. 5.
During their latest assessment of Lake Wylie conducted on November 1, 2021, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services observed active Blue-Green Algae (cyanobacteria) blooms in Boyd's and Snug Harbor coves. The following safety measures are recommended for these coves:
- People and pets do 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.
As the lake swim season comes to an end, the risk of exposure to cyanobacteria blooms is reduced; therefore, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services will discontinue the issuance of its weekly updates. Although active blooms are still occurring, cooler water will likely result in significant reductions. When this will occur is unknown and it is likely blooms will return when water temperatures increase; therefore, it is important that lake users continue to look for visual signs that a bloom is occurring prior to contact with the water. Visual signs of a bloom may include bright green, blue, discolored, and/or scummy water. If visual signs are observed, follow the safety measures above.
Original source can be found here.
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