Well, don’t swim in the beach, swim in the water, or wait, don’t do that either, check the list first! Here’s how they tested. 10 beaches closed.
May 24th – Preliminary beach water quality testing has begun for the 2010 season. Please check back for water quality updates and other information regarding the opening of the 2010 beach season.
BB Clarke CLOSED May 24th – The water temperature was 73°F. This beach is closed for swimming due to blue-green algae. The beach will reopen when their levels decline. The regular lifeguard season for 2010 has not started yet. People may swim at their own risk. Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) may still be present and their levels can be variable depending on the waves and wind. Beachgoers should use common sense and avoid contact with algal blooms that they may observe.
Bernies Open The Public Health Madison-Dane County Laboratory tested bacterial water quality at this beach on May 24, 2010. The results were acceptable. The water temperature was 73°F. The regular lifeguard season for 2010 has not started yet. People may swim at their own risk. Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) may still be present and their levels can be variable depending on the waves and wind. Beachgoers should use common sense and avoid contact with algal blooms that they may observe.
Brittingham CLOSED The regular lifeguard season for 2010 has not started yet. People may swim at their own risk. Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) may still be present and their levels can be variable depending on the waves and wind. Beachgoers should use common sense and avoid contact with algal blooms that they may observe.
Esther CLOSED The regular lifeguard season for 2010 has not started yet. People may swim at their own risk. Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) may still be present and their levels can be variable depending on the waves and wind. Beachgoers should use common sense and avoid contact with algal blooms that they may observe.
Goodland County Park CLOSED The regular lifeguard season for 2010 has not started yet. People may swim at their own risk. Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) may still be present and their levels can be variable depending on the waves and wind. Beachgoers should use common sense and avoid contact with algal blooms that they may observe.
Governor Nelson State Park N/A
Hudson CLOSED The regular lifeguard season for 2010 has not started yet. People may swim at their own risk. Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) may still be present and their levels can be variable depending on the waves and wind. Beachgoers should use common sense and avoid contact with algal blooms that they may observe.
James Madison Open The Public Health Madison-Dane County Laboratory tested bacterial water quality at this beach on May 24, 2010. The results were acceptable. The water temperature was 65°F. The regular lifeguard season for 2010 has not started yet. People may swim at their own risk. Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) may still be present and their levels can be variable depending on the waves and wind. Beachgoers should use common sense and avoid contact with algal blooms that they may observe.
Lake Kegonsa State Park N/A
Lake Mendota County Park CLOSED The regular lifeguard season for 2010 has not started yet. People may swim at their own risk. Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) may still be present and their levels can be variable depending on the waves and wind. Beachgoers should use common sense and avoid contact with algal blooms that they may observe.
Maple Bluff N/A
Marshall CLOSED The regular lifeguard season for 2010 has not started yet. People may swim at their own risk. Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) may still be present and their levels can be variable depending on the waves and wind. Beachgoers should use common sense and avoid contact with algal blooms that they may observe.
Memorial Union CLOSED The regular lifeguard season for 2010 has not started yet. People may swim at their own risk. Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) may still be present and their levels can be variable depending on the waves and wind. Beachgoers should use common sense and avoid contact with algal blooms that they may observe.
Olbrich Open The Public Health Madison-Dane County Laboratory tested bacterial water quality at this beach on May 24, 2010. The results were acceptable. The water temperature was 80°F. The regular lifeguard season for 2010 has not started yet. People may swim at their own risk. Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) may still be present and their levels can be variable depending on the waves and wind. Beachgoers should use common sense and avoid contact with algal blooms that they may observe.
Olin CLOSED The regular lifeguard season for 2010 has not started yet. People may swim at their own risk. Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) may still be present and their levels can be variable depending on the waves and wind. Beachgoers should use common sense and avoid contact with algal blooms that they may observe.
Spring Harbor CLOSED The regular lifeguard season for 2010 has not started yet. People may swim at their own risk. Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) may still be present and their levels can be variable depending on the waves and wind. Beachgoers should use common sense and avoid contact with algal blooms that they may observe.
Stoughton Mandt Park Pond N/A
Tenney Open The Public Health Madison-Dane County Laboratory tested bacterial water quality at this beach on May 24, 2010. The results were acceptable. The water temperature was 65°F. The regular lifeguard season for 2010 has not started yet. People may swimat their own risk. Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) may still be present and their levels can be variable depending on the waves and wind. Beachgoers should use common sense and avoid contact with algal blooms that they may observe.
Verona Fireman’s Park N/A
Vilas Open The Public Health Madison-Dane County Laboratory tested bacterial water quality at this beach on May 24, 2010. The results were acceptable. The water temperature was 81°F. The regular lifeguard season for 2010 has not started yet. People may swim at their own risk. Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) may still be present and their levels can be variable depending on the waves and wind. Beachgoers should use common sense and avoid contact with algal blooms that they may observe.
Warner Open The Public Health Madison-Dane County Laboratory tested bacterial water quality at this beach on May 24, 2010. The results were acceptable. The water temperature was 73°F. The regular lifeguard season for 2010 has not started yet. People may swim at their own risk. Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) may still be present and their levels can be variable depending on the waves and wind. Beachgoers should use common sense and avoid contact with algal blooms that they may observe.
More info here.
Testing was done before this notice went out:
Blue-Green Algae Blooms Reported on Lake Monona:
Public is Advised to Avoid Contact
Madison WI – May 25, 2010 – Large blooms of blue-green algae have been reported on Lake Monona today. The onset of warm weather and heavy rains create ideal conditions for these blooms. Public Health Madison and Dane County advises the public to avoid any contact with these blooms. This advice applies to both people and their pets, so it is important to keep you pets out of the water when these blooms are present. A motorboat passing through a bloom can expose the boaters to the algae through spray.
These blooms are toxic and exposure can produce such symptoms as eye/nose/throat irritation, skin rashes, breathing problems, including an increase of asthma symptoms, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, or muscle or joint pain. The blooms can sometimes produce toxins affecting the nervous system and may cause numb lips, tingling fingers and toes, or dizziness.
The bloom can look like a large mat on the surface of the water with coloring that ranges from green/blue-green, red to brown. Blue green algae blooms can happen at any time and in any place on the water and they are usually easy to see although shifting wind and wave conditions may make these blooms move in and out of view.
You should avoid contact with water in the area of a visible bloom — which means that you should not swim, water ski, or boat in an area of a bloom. Also be sure to keep pets and children out of water containing these blooms.
Children are at greater risk than adults of developing illness after contact. Animals swimming in or drinking water in the area of a harmful bloom could become very ill and even die. People exposed to the blooms should shower as soon as possible, and exposed pets should have their fur thoroughly washed.
If you feel that you are experiencing health effects from exposure to blue-green algae, you should contact your doctor or clinic for medical evaluation.
To report your illness to Public Health, or to report a problem at one of our area beaches call 266-4821.
For more detailed information on our beaches and blue green algae, please check our website at:
http://www.publichealthmdc.com/environmental/water/beaches/