In a bit of a wet blanket for late summer beachgoers, health concerns have led to the shuttering of two local watering holes. The St. Croix Bluffs and Point Douglas beaches are decidedly off-limits, thanks to an invasion of blue-green algae, more scientifically dubbed cyanobacteria, according to Washington County Minnesota. While the adjacent park facilities haven't skipped a beat and remain open, those looking to take a dip will have to table those plans.
The culprit behind the closure is not your garden-variety pond scum, but a toxin-producing microorganism that can cause quite the stir for health, according to an alert from Washington County. With the toxin's propensity for causing health issues ranging from skin irritation to gastrointestinal distress, it's a full stop on all swimming and wading activities. And, in a bid to keep the four-legged beach enthusiasts safe, the County has also issued a stark warning: Keep pets firmly away from the bloom-infested waters, as detailed by Washington County Minnesota.
Indeed, it seems that prevention here is worth a pound of cure. Besides the ban on frolicking in the affected water, the authorities have issued a stern reminder to be on the lookout for symptoms post-exposure. Should you or your pet have indulged in a dip before the closure, the prompt recognition of symptoms such as nausea or vomiting could be crucial. The full spectrum of nasty effects courtesy of the bloom was detailed in a public notice from the Washington County website.
