Algae Watch

Intense heat, high nutrients (from fertilizers or sewer leaks), little rain and lots of evaporation are the perfect conditions for harmful algae blooms like this one on Brashear Creek in Madison. Algae blooms create low dissolved oxygen "dead zones" in the water which can potentially lead to fish kills. Some freshwater blooms are caused by cyanobacteria which have the potential to produce toxins that affect humans, pets, and our ecosystems. **Pets can get very sick and die within hours after swallowing toxins made by harmful algal blooms in bodies of water like lakes and rivers. Do not let your pets drink, play, or swim in water that has signs of a harmful algal bloom.
If you see an algae bloom, please report it to us here: https://www.pearlriverkeeper.com/report-pollution.html