Detected Presence Of Toxic Algae In Loveless Lake

News Release

Polk County Land and Water Resources and Public Health Departments have received the mycrocystin toxicity reports from the collected Loveless Lake water samples.

Water samples were collected on March 29, 2021; April 22, 2021; May 18, 2021; and May 24, 2021. The samples followed all collection guidelines issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

The US EPA’s microcystin guideline for recreational water is 8 ug/L. The microcystin concentration in the water collected in March and April is below the Federal recreational swimming advisory level. However, the samples collected in May are above the Federal recreational swimming advisory level. This means the lake water is toxic. Caution should be used when participating in recreational water activities at Loveless Lake.

To protect yourself, family, or pets from illness:

• Do not touch mats of algae, scum layers, foam or other visible blooms of blue-green algae.
• Do not swim in areas where water is discolored or where you see foam, scum, or mats of algae on the water’s surface.
• Do not eat fish organs, only fish filets. Rinse filets well with clean water before cooking or freezing. Wash your hands or shower off with soap and water after catching and cleaning fish.
• Do not let dogs drink or swim in lake water during an algal bloom.
• Do not let dogs eat algal scum or lick it off their fur.
• Always wash your hands or shower off with soap and water after participating in recreational water activities.
• Always wash pets with clean water immediately if he/she swims or wades in water during algal blooms.
• Do not use lake water for irrigation on lawns. The lake water contains small pieces of the algae. Children and pets can encounter the algae when playing in lawns after irrigation.

At this time, no reports of illness related to activities within the lake have been reported. Informational signs notifying the public are posted at Loveless Lake.

Next steps:

Polk County Land and Water Resources and Public Health Department will continue to monitor the Loveless Lake water quality by using microcystin test strips. These tests allow for us to monitor the toxicity level above or below 10 ug/L. Polk County plans to monitor the lake until Labor Day. These results will be posted on the Polk County Health Department website.

A test strip sample was performed on June 15, 2021, at Loveless Lake. The sample results indicated that Loveless Lake water quality is below the regulatory standard. This test strip does not represent the entire Loveless Lake water quality. Caution should still be used when participating in recreational water activities at Loveless Lake.

Polk County will continue to monitor the conditions at Loveless Lake with the support from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

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