Wisconsin residents warned to watch out for Blue-Green algae

Posted on July 29, 2011 by samweis

With highs in the 80s, this weekend looks like perfect weather to spend a day at the beach, but Wisconsin officials are warning residents to watch out for toxic blue-green algae.

Blue-green algae blooms are becoming increasingly common throughout the state, as a result of phosphorus pollution. This year, blue green algae has closed beaches and prompted warnings across the state including in Madison, in Lake Winnebago, and in Menomonie.

Blue green algae is more than a simple nuisance. Exposure to it can cause rashes, vomiting, diarrhea, severe respiratory illness, and even result in nerve and liver damage.

At Clean Wisconsin, we envision a future where all of Wisconsin’s lakes are safe to swim and fish in year-round. That’s why we’re fighting hard to reduce phosphorus pollution in our lakes, rivers and streams.

For this weekend, it’s a good idea to watch out for blue-green algae before entering the water. Below is the press release from the Department of health for further information:

WATCH FOR BLUE-GREEN ALGAE BEFORE JUMPING IN THE WATER THIS SUMMER

MADISON—State health officials are reminding families and pet owners to watch for blue-green algae in swimming and wading spots this summer.

“It’s great to have fun in Wisconsin waters, but swimming in or swallowing water with high levels of blue-green algae can make you sick,” said Dr. Henry Anderson, State Health Officer. “People and pets should avoid swimming in a body of water with a lot of blue-green algae.”

Blue-green algae may bloom in lakes, rivers and ponds and some blue-green algae produce toxins. Exposure to these algae can cause illness in people and has caused death in both domestic animals and livestock. Individuals can protect themselves, their family, and their pets by avoiding contact with water containing visible amounts of blue-green algae.

Algal blooms can form a thick, foul-smelling scum on the water’s surface that can look like paint or pea soup. Algal blooms range in color from green and fluorescent blue to brown. Most adults will avoid entering water with an algae bloom, but kids and pets can be hard to keep out of the water – no matter how it looks or smells.

Many water-loving dogs will swim and drink from water regardless of smell or appearance. It is important to remember that dogs exposed to algae should be rinsed off following contact with waters experiencing a bloom. Dogs often lick their fur after swimming and rinsing pets helps decrease the chance of ingesting algal materials. Seek immediate veterinary care if your pet develops any signs of illness after swimming in a lake, river or pond

If you come in contact with a blue-green algae bloom, you may experience eye, throat, nose or skin irritation and gastrointestinal problems, such as vomiting or diarrhea. Symptoms typically appear a few hours after exposure, but occasionally people feel ill several days after exposure. Contact a physician if you experience muscle cramps, respiratory difficulties, nausea or vomiting following swimming in a lake or river.

“It’s a good idea to wash with clean water after playing or swimming in any lake or river, and, as always, to wash hands before eating,” Anderson said.

To report an algae-related illness, or for additional information, call the Department of Health Services at (608) 266-1120 or visit: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/eh/bluegreenalgae/.

-Contributed by Sam Weis, communications director

Phosphorus Pollution: A Drag on Wisconsin’s Economy

Posted on June 14, 2011 by samweis

A couple of weeks ago, we shared Peggy’s story with you, which speaks to the devastating health impacts of blue-green algae blooms caused by excess phosphorus pollution in our waters.

Peggy’s story was one of many that we heard while we visited Menomonie, Wisconsin, a community that experiences foul algae blooms in lakes Tainter and Menomin every year.

Today we bring you part two of our video series highlighting the impact of phosphorus pollution on Wisconsin — As you’ll see in the video, phosphorus pollution is a serious drag on the economies of communities throughout Wisconsin that, like Menomonie, experience algae blooms.

If we don’t act now to clean up our waters, we can expect more and more lakes to experience such blooms.

Please watch and share — this video is copyright free!

-Contributed by Sam Weis, Video by Daniel Mostaza

Peggy’s Story: Getting SICK of Phosphorus Pollution

Posted on May 26, 2011 by samweis

Last week, three Clean Wisconsin staffers toured Menomonie, Wisconsin where we heard stories about the urgent need to clean up our waters.

Peggy’s story was just one of many heart-wrenching stories about the human impact of impaired waters and blue-green algae.

Please check back often as we’ll be bringing you more videos from our trip as well as giving you opportunities to help join the fight for clean water!

A boat ride to remember

Posted on May 16, 2011 by samweis

One of the greatest challenges as a writer is to adequately capture the power of a single moment in words. Today I experienced a moment that will be etched in my mind forever, and though I will never do it justice, I will try to capture it in writing.

Today, a few of us traveled to Menomonie, Wisconsin to tour the Tainter/Menomin watershed — one of Wisconsin’s most impaired waterways. Our plan was simple: to talk to locals about the impact of the lakes’ frequent algae blooms and to catch it on tape so that we could share their stories and convey the importance of clean water policies.

Going in I had known that these lakes are taken over by thick, green mats of algae annually. I also knew that these algae blooms often contained blue-green algae, a toxic bloom that threatens the health of children and pets. I thought surely that this would be a place where we could find compelling stories highlighting the urgent need to clean up our waterways.

I never could have imagined how right I was.

Early in the day it became clear that this was not just another day, and not just another video project. We listened in disbelief as residents told stories of algae diminishing property values, causing asthma attacks and blistered legs, sickening children and ruining retirement plans.

As we listened, on the shores of beautiful, shimmering waters, it became difficult to believe that these lakes were ticking time bombs — that in a matter of weeks they would go from beautiful and scenic to green, toxic and dangerous.

It was a moment after all of the official interviews were over, however, that will stick with me forever.

Our guide for the day, a resident living on Lake Tainter and retired military and business man, was giving us a tour of the lake on his boat when I asked him an impromptu question. “Why do you fight so hard to clean up these Lakes?”

I will never forget his answer.

His eyes teared up as he explained that he has a son who has undergone a liver transplant and his doctor says it is unsafe for him to go in or near these impaired lakes. Even his grandchildren are not allowed to swim or play in these waters as they are too dangerous.

This man is pouring his soul into trying to clean up the lakes just enough so that his children and grandchildren can enjoy the waters without fearing illness. If everyone could take a boat ride with this man, to see the passion in his eyes, and hear the determination in his voice, then I have little doubt that they would do their part to help clean up our waters and keep them clean for future generations.

For now, we have hours of interviews to sort through, and we will be bringing you videos in the coming weeks that tell the stories of the people living near Tainter/Menomin. My greatest hope is that these videos will accomplish what I fail to capture in words — the unbelievable human stories that demonstrate the urgent need to act today to clean up our waters.

Please stay tuned…

Contributed by Sam Weis, media specialist.