The sunny disposition of September may be easy on the eyes but it's proving to be a troublemaker for Minneapolis's lakes, most recently turning Lake Nokomis and Powderhorn Lake into petri dishes for blue-green algae blooms. According to Minneapolis Parks and Recreation, these algae, as charming as they look with their pea soup and spilled green paint aesthetic, could be producing toxins harmful to humans and animals, classified as Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs).
While such aquatic performances by Mother Nature are often safe, it's a high-stakes guessing game as the toxicity of HABs can't be judged by the naked eye, hence the guidance to avoid taking a dip or letting pets paddle when these algae blooms paint the town green, the problem is that water conditions can change in the blink of an eye and a gust of wind can rearrange this natural art show so it's difficult to warn lakegoers all the time.
Moving into fall, this isn't just a Minneapolis solo act; it's a regional trend that's starting to take curtain calls more frequently as average seasonal temperatures begin their upward climb. For those looking to keep themselves and their pets out of harm’s way, the parks authority spells out a few simple rules: don't swim with the algae, avoid frolicking in the algae mats, and keep your catch gut-free and rinse those fillets well before they hit the frying pan, not to mention a thorough rinse if you happen to have a close encounter of the algae kind.
Finally, remember it's a Minneapolis no-go for dogs in the water bodies — the city has rules, and they're not just there for the dog paddles, so keep the pups away from a potential toxic tipple or an algae spa treatment.
