Alerts, Advisories And News
Lake Erie Summer Safety
Harmful Algal Blooms
Harmful Algal Blooms
Harmful algal blooms (HAB), or often called blue-green algae, are commonly found in Ohio lakes, slow-moving rivers, and ponds. There are many kinds of species of blue-green algae that do not produce toxins, but some can cause HABs.
HABs will sometimes appear when there is a shallow body of fresh water, warm temperatures, sunlight, and excessive amounts of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) in the water. In the right environment, the numbers of blue-green algae can increase at a rapid rate or "bloom" in a body of water. Some HABs are visible, and can be seen as a thick mats or scum on the surface of the water. These mats can vary in color, including bright green, bluish-green, or even sometimes a red or maroon.
HABs will sometimes appear when there is a shallow body of fresh water, warm temperatures, sunlight, and excessive amounts of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) in the water. In the right environment, the numbers of blue-green algae can increase at a rapid rate or "bloom" in a body of water. Some HABs are visible, and can be seen as a thick mats or scum on the surface of the water. These mats can vary in color, including bright green, bluish-green, or even sometimes a red or maroon.
For more information, visit the Ohio EPA's website.
BeachGuard
The Ohio Department of Health, through a grant from the U.S. EPA, monitors beaches along the Lake Erie shoreline for E. coli bacteria. The monitoring is done in cooperation with many local health departments, including our office, where the beaches are located. The BeachGuard system allows local beach managers to post real-time beach monitoring and notification data online, and allows the public to view beach advisories that might be in place.
Click here for more on BeachGuard and here for real-time monitoring. You can also call our office for real-time updates.
Current Alerts
.jpg)
Wash your Hands
You can help yourself and your loved ones stay healthy by washing your hands often, especially during these key times when you are likely to get and spread germs
Before, during, and after preparing food
Before eating food
Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
Before and after treating a cut or wound
After using the toilet
After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
After handling pet food or pet treats
After touching garbage
Before eating food
Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
Before and after treating a cut or wound
After using the toilet
After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
After handling pet food or pet treats
After touching garbage
For more information please visit the CDC's website or contact the Conneaut City Health Department