Lake Winnebago – By Sari Soffer, WBAY TV

Algae always turns the Lake Winnebago water green during Wisconsin’s summer month, but this year it’s earlier than ever.

Laura Reudinger of Oshkosh will take her grandson to the park, but Wednesday she wouldn’t let him in the water.

“Even in the shallow water when he comes out, he’s got all green under his suit,” she says.

The green stuff Reudinger refers to is algae. While a common sight on Lake Winnebago, the DNR says it’s emerging earlier this year because of all the rain and snow run-off. Nutrients in the run-off, mixed with hot temperatures and sunlight, promote the algae bloom.

Over at the sailing school, they’re already taking some precautions against blue-green algae.

“We had a couple days in our spring session of school sailing where we did have concerns about water quality,” Steve Eliasenco, founder of International Youth Sailing of Oshkosh, said.
While people are likely to stay out of goopy, green water, they also need to look out for their pets, which may drink the water or collect water on their fur.

“Local veterinarians are aware of this in this area, so they do look for those types of symptoms and do what they can to treat animals when they come in with blue-green algae symptoms,” DNR Water Resources Supervisor Rob McLennan said.

“We just need to make sure the public is aware what they look like so they can exercise their own precautions so they can keep themselves, their kids and their pets out of the water,” McLennan said.

If you or your child is exposed to blue-green algae and shows symptoms of poisoning, like vomiting, rashes or breathing problems, contact a Poison Control Center.