Officials urging caution after elevated levels of algal toxin discovered in NW Iowa lake

LAKE PARK, Iowa (KUOO) - Those participating in recreational activities on Silver Lake in Lake Park are being told to take some precautions.

Officials with the Cooperative Lakes Area Monitoring Program, also known as CLAMP, say screening tests conducted Tuesday, July 28, on Silver Lake turned up elevated levels of an algal toxin known as microcystin. They say the levels are above what are considered safe for swimming, and that pets, children and the elderly are most susceptible.

Symptoms of microcystin exposure include nausea, vomiting and skin rashes. It can even be fatal to pets or livestock that drink the water.

Officials say the elevated readings are temporary and should drop back to safe levels once water temperatures cool this fall.

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