BLUE GREEN ALGAE - HELP US REDUCE THE CAUSE
Blue Green Algae (BGA) first became an issue on Lake Helen starting late July 2021 and has been monitored by residents, lake commissioners and county representatives each year since. While blue green algae is not present year-round, it has been a recurrent issue, often appearing in July.
What is it and how you can identify it:
Blue Green Algae (BGA) can often be identified by it's pea-green or blue color, looking like "pea soup", or often described as looking "streaky" or "like spilled paint".
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In our lake it has looked like:
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What to do if you see it:
Please use caution when swimming / playing in green soupy waters. If the water is discolored / streaky, looks like spilled paint or has floating scum, avoid that area (at a minimum).
Report sightings of blue green algae to your lake commissioners, who will work with county officials to sample and test the water. If BGA is confirmed, the county will post a caution notice at the beach.
If you do come in contact with the blue green algae, monitor for vomiting, cough, diarrhea, sore throat, headache, skin rash, blistering, & abdominal pain. Seek medical care if symptoms occur or call Wisconsin Poison Center 800-222-1222 for advice.
Report blue-green algae illnesses to your local health department.
If pets become ill seek veterinary care immediately.
What you can do to help:
Please do your part to stop nitrogen & phosphorus from entering the lake! Property owners directly on the water and on nearby properties are encouraged to read and head the following:
Lake Helen Action Plan:
Lake Helen's application for a grant to STUDY the lake in 2026, specifically to identify the leading causes of phosphorus that contribute to blue green algae growth and create a treatment plan, was APPROVED!
For several years, Lake Commissioners have been working closely with county and state officials to monitor and test the blue green algae blooms and began submitting grant applications for funding to help study (and potentially treat) the issue in 2023. Unfortunately, this highly competitive grant was awarded to other lakes to address their blue green algae challenges in 2024 and 2025.
Looking ahead: While the study is a critical part of our efforts and will inform the right course of action to address the BGA issue, the Lake Commissioners will need to submit and receive approval for another, larger grant to work with state and county officials to address the issue. More information will be provided in annual meetings, in informal updates as the study progresses, and as the course of action becomes more clear.