Between Memorial Day, May 30, and Labor Day, September 5, Indiana’s lakes are tested weekly for Blue-Green algae toxins. Cagle’s Mill Lake (Lieber) is under a low-risk alert as of June 24. This means you shouldn’t drink the water, shower after contact, and try to avoid contact with the algae. Each week Indiana’s lakes will be tested and monitored by IDEM (Indiana Department of Environmental Management). If you wish to check the weekly updates, you can find them at: DNR: State Parks: Blue Green Algae Blooms (in.gov) Some visual signs of blue-green algae are noticeably discolored surface scums.
In the case that Cagle’s Mill Lake goes higher than a low-risk alert and goes to an advisory alert, avoid shallow water and shower in warm soapy water. With an advisory alert, both swimming and boating are permitted, but if you start to show symptoms of diarrhea, nausea, skin/eye irritation, allergic reactions, or breathing difficulties after swimming, it may be blue-green algae poisoning and you should seek medical attention. It’s not recommended for animals to be in the water during an advisory alert because illness and death can occur if the animal consumes too many of these toxins. With a beach caution alert, children with compromised immune systems should not swim in the lake. You should also keep your animals from drinking the lake water, avoid swallowing the water, and avoid any contact with the algae. Lastly, the worse alert is the beach closed alert; this is when the lake is unsafe to swim in.
Beach Closed Alert: No swimming permitted.
Beach Caution Alert: Swimming and boating permitted. Children and those with compromised immune systems should not swim. Avoid contact with algae. Avoid swallowing water while swimming. Take a bath or shower with warm soapy water after coming in contact with lake water. Do not use lake water for cooking or bathing. Keep pets out of the water along shallow banks and the shoreline.
Beach Advisory Alert: Swimming and boating permitted. Avoid contact with algae. Avoid swallowing water while swimming. Take a bath or shower with warm soapy water after coming in contact with lake water. Do not use lake water for cooking or bathing. Do not allow your pets to swim or drink water where algae are present.
Beach Low-Risk Alert: Don’t drink the water, shower after you swim. (As of June 24, were under the low-risk alert)
We will update you if any changes occur. Stay safe and stay informed!