wiscuba.com

I caught this on the news this morning and found the follow-up link on Channel3000:

<http://www.channel3000.com/news/4727059/detail.html>

Quote:Officials Warn Swimmers To Stay Out Of Lakes Mendota, Kegonsa

Blue-Green Algae May Be Dangerous To People, Pets

POSTED: 8:05 am CDT July 15, 2005
UPDATED: 8:35 am CDT July 15, 2005

MADISON, Wis. -- Officials are warning not to swim in two local lakes, and others are being tested after a swimmer is hospitalized.

Water quality advisories have been issued for all of lakes Mendota and Kegonsa, due to high concentrations of blue-green algae. This type of algae is capable of producing a toxin that harms people and pets.

The DNR said they were contacted by the doctor of one local man training for the Ironman in Lake Wingra who got very sick after swimming. They did immediate testing of the water after he was hospitalized.

\"There were some blue-green algae present,\" said Elisabeth Harrahy of the DNR. \"These were two species that can produce toxins but they were in fairly low numbers -- below the threshold that we would alert the local public health agencies.\"

It hasn't been determined if any algae toxins were present in Lake Wingra. State labs are still testing the water for toxin levels. Those results have not come back but are expected in a few days.

Harrahy said if you're headed to the beach, you should keep away from water that looks like green or blue paint, or any layers of scum near the shoreline.