The City of Sleepy Eye recommended the public avoid swimming, skiing, tubing, paddle boarding, wind surfing and other water activities when the algae is present.

“We closed the beach based on a recommendation from Brown County Public Health,” said Sleepy Eye Public Works Director Mike Hardin.

Brown County Public Health Director Jaime Brand said the Sleepy Eye Lake water condition was photographed after her department was contacted by the City of Sleepy Eye.

“Blue green algae was seen on the lake. Photos show is very clearly. We recommended they close it until further recommendations by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA),” said Brand. “It poses a pretty significant health risk to humans and animals. We’ll continue to work with the City of Sleepy Eye. We hope to get the beach and lake access open again soon.”

Staff photo by Fritz Busch The City of Sleepy Eye closed the Sleepy Eye Lake beach until further notice Wednesday after asking Brown County Public Health about lake water condition due to toxic blue green algae found in the lake.

When temperatures rise and the summer summer sun beats down, conditions are ripe for Minnesota lakes to produce blue-green algal blooms, some of which can be harmful to pets and people, according to the MPCA.

Blue-green algae are not algae, but types of bacteria called cyanobacteria that thrives in warm, nutrient-rich water. The algal blooms are often described as looking like pea soup or spilled, green paint. They can produce a swampy odor.

Signs of recent algal blooms include green scum on the shoreline.

“When in doubt, stay out,” reads an MPCA alert.

Caution should be used when consuming fish caught from water where a bloom is occurring.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch The City of Sleepy Eye posted a sign at the Sportsmans Park access Wednesday urging the public to avoid going in water after toxic blue green algae was seen in Sleepy Eye Lake.

If you think you swam in water with a harmful algal bloom rinse off with fresh water immediately.

If odors cause discomfort, leave the area immediately.

If you see multiple dead fish in a lake or river, or runoff or a spill entering waters, call the Minnesota Duty Officer at 800-422-0798. Calls are answered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If there is an immediate threat to life or property, call 911 first.

The best thing one can do is reduce the amount of phosphorus and nitrogen from man-made sources such as lawn fertilizer and runoff from cities, cultivated fields, feedlots and many other sources.

For more information, visit https://www.pca.state.mn.us/business-with-us/harmful-algae-blooms. Call the Minnesota Department of Health at 1-877-366-3455.