Blue-Green Alge warning sign. Image courtesy: City of Stevens Point
STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) — The City of Stevens Point and the Wisconsin DNR have confirmed the presence of blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, in the Wisconsin River.
City leaders and the DNR have placed warning signs at all Wisconsin River access points informing users of the algae and its risks. While the blooms are natural, they can pose a risk to humans and animals when ingested or come into contact with in high concentrations.
Mayor Mike Wiza says this doesn’t mean that access to the river is closed, but they do want the public to be informed and prepared to change plans if conditions aren’t favorable for swimming. “We want people to enjoy the river safely and to be informed, not alarmed,” said Mayor Mike Wiza. “These signs are there to help people make smart choices about when and where to enter the water. or those who prefer to avoid the Wisconsin River for the time being, Iverson Park and the Plover River remain safe alternatives—we’ve had no reports of blue-green algae in that area as of the time of this release.”
Precautions include:
- Avoid contact with water that looks discolored, scummy, or has a foul odor.
- Keep pets and children away from affected areas.
- Do not ingest untreated river water.
- Report suspicious water conditions to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources at
DNRHABS@wisconsin.gov and provide photos for confirmation
Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, are microscopic organisms found naturally in lakes, streams, and rivers. In warm, nutrient-rich water, they can multiply rapidly and form blooms that may appear as green, blue, or brown scum or paint-like streaks on the water’s surface. Some types of blue-green algae can produce toxins that are harmful to humans, pets, and wildlife when ingested or come into contact with in high concentrations.
Comments