HANCOCK -- The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (WUPHD), working in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), and the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), is issuing a Cyanobacteria harmful algal bloom (HAB) recreational public health advisory for Portage Lake, Portage Canal, and Torch Lake in Houghton County. People and pets should avoid direct body contact and avoid swallowing water in areas where these HABs are present.
HABs look like spilled paint, pea soup, floating scum, mats, green sheens, clumps, or streaks. Swimming, wading and water activities that create spray are not recommended in the areas where this is visible present. Do not let dogs drink affected water. Monitor children and pets closely to ensure they do not eat or play with algae on the shoreline. If people and dogs enter the affected water, rinse them off and monitor for illness.
The algal bloom will be tested for Anatoxin-a; this is one of the algal toxins that HABs can produce. These toxins can make people and animals sick when swallowed or breathed in, or may cause skin irritations such rashes and hives. Dogs are especially at risk of developing health effects. This toxin has been associated with dog deaths in other lakes. The testing results will not be available until after the Fourth of July weekend.
If people may have had contact with or swallowed affected water and feel sick, they should consult with their doctor or Poison Control at 800-222-1222. If symptoms are severe, people should get emergency medical attention. If animals become sick after contact with lake water, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Click here for details on symptoms.
More information on harmful algal blooms can be found at www.michigan.gov/habs.
Local beach monitoring by WUPHD, KBIC
The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (WUPHD) and the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) are conducting a bathing beach monitoring program of public beaches. This swimming season will be the 14th consecutive year WUPHD will be monitoring selected public beaches.
"KBIC is excited to continue working alongside Western UP Health Department in protecting our waters. This will be our third year monitoring the local beaches, and feel that it’s important to continue providing this service to the public," stated Stephanie Cree, Water Resources Specialist with the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Natural Resources Department.
Monitoring consists of weekly water sampling and testing for E. coli, posting results on the State’s BeachGuard website, and posting closings or advisories at beaches with elevated E. coli results. Testing beaches during the swimming season is important to make sure the public is informed of high E. coli levels that pose a greater risk of illness.
Surface waters contaminated with elevated levels of E. coli bacteria can result in illness symptoms including nausea, vomiting, stomachache, diarrhea, headache and fever. Other illnesses associated with swimming in contaminated waters include ear, eye, nose and throat infections, and skin rashes and skin infections.
"Beaches that are open to the public for swimming but not part of a monitoring program are being asked by the health department to either implement a water sampling program that meets the State standards or post notices at the beaches to inform the public whether or not the water has been tested for E. coli bacteria," stated Tanya Rule, Environmental Health Director of the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department.
Public beaches which are not being monitored for E. coli are required to post a sign stating they are not being monitored.
The COVID-19 pandemic has added another concern while at the beach this summer. Stay home if you are feel ill or experiencing any of the following symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, fever, sore throat, headache, or muscle aches. Protect yourself and family by practicing social distancing; keeping at least 6 feet away from people not in your household. Wear a face covering while indoors at public spaces. Use hand sanitizer after contact with high-touch surfaces.
Weekly beach inspections and water quality monitoring is being conducted by the Health Department and Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Natural Resource Department at the following Western U.P. public beaches and the test results may be viewed on the state beach website:
Baraga County: The Alligator, First Sand’s Beach, Head of the Bay, L’Anse Waterfront Park, Ojibwa Campground Beach, Sandpoint Beach North, Sandpoint Beach South, Zeba Boat Launch
Gogebic County: Gogebic County Beach on Lake Gogebic, Lake Gogebic State Park, Sunday Lake Campground and Beach
Houghton County: Agate Beach, Calumet Waterworks Beach, Chassell Beach, Dollar Bay Beach, Hancock City Park Beach, Houghton City Beach, McLain State Park, Twin Lakes State Park
Keweenaw County: Eagle Harbor Beach, Eagle River Beach, Lake Fanny Hooe Campground
Ontonagon County: Bergland Township Beach on Lake Gogebic , Bond Falls Beach, Ontonagon County Park on Lake Gogebic, Ontonagon Township Park, Porcupine Mountain State Park.
Click here for more details on beach monitoring.
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