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The lake is popular for fishing, kayaking, and playing with pets.
QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY, Md. — The weather may have cooled, but the algae is not gone, according to new advisories from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Algae blooms can be harmful to animals, so pet owners are advised to keep their furry friends out of the water in the impacted areas until further notice.
An advisory is for an outbreak of toxic blue-green algae at the Wye Mills Community Lake in Queen Anne’s County.
“A cyanobacteria bloom has produced algal toxins that were above the recommended level for safe recreational contact,” said the DNR. “Anyone at Wye Mills Lake should avoid swimming in or drinking the water, avoid contacting any green water and scum, and keep children and pets away.”
The lake is popular for fishing, kayaking and playing with pets.
The CDC says pets should not do any of the following in the area of a bloom:
- Drink the water
- Swim or play near the water
- Eat near the water
- Lick their fur after being in the water
- Eat dead animals, such as fish, found near the bloom
- Eat the algae mats
- If your pets or livestock have been in the water, immediately wash them off with clean water to keep them from licking cyanobacteria off their fur.
If your pet came into contact with an algae bloom, the CDC urges you to call a vet if your pet shows any of these symptoms:
- Loss of energy
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Stumbling and falling
- Foaming at the mouth
- Diarrhea
- Convulsions
- Excessive drooling
- Tremors and seizures
- Any unexplained sickness that occurs within a day or so after being in contact with water
Another toxic algae advisory is in place for a long stretch of the upper Potomac River, including shores in Frederick, Montgomery, Loudoun, and Fairfax Counties.
A long section of River, From Williamsport Maryland in Washington County, all the way down to Rileys Lock, at Seneca in Montgomery County remains under a toxic algae advisory that has been up since July 12 — with the same caution advisory, especially for pets.
In this case, the algae looks like “mats of fine, green cotton and can be found along the shoreline, attached to rocks or plants, on the bottom or floating downstream,” according to Maryland DNR.
No human or pet illnesses have been reported to authorities in the wake of these advisories.
The latest tests for the Potomac were taken just before our brush with the remains of tropical storm Debby raised river levels which DNR says may have mitigated the risk. New tests are planned soon. Until then, the advisory to keep dogs out of the water in both locations stands.
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