Field Notes

January 26, 2021

Cyano…tifications?

Read Time: 1 minute

Get on our go-to list for weekly blue-green algae updates, starting this summer.

It’s still winter, but you might already be thinking about your favorite local lake. There’s a lot to love about a good sunset, a cold drink and hours of sunshine, watersports, biking and golf cart-riding.

But before you box away your winter clothes, we’ve got a blue-green algae notification system you might want to sign up for!

Every week during the summer, the Lilly Center research team conducts research on 14 lakes. Then, we test each water sample in our lab, keeping an eye out for one type of bacteria in particular: cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, specifically the toxin it produces. The toxin it produces, microcystin can be potent! Elevated levels can lead to health risks for people and pets.

In the coming weeks, you’ll be invited to sign up for weekly testing notifications, delivered to your inbox this summer. We’ll alert you if levels exceed the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s safety threshold for dogs and humans.

So how do you get on our list? Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter and keep an eye out for this word: cyanobacteria. (Not sure what cyanobacteria is? Here’s our ultimate blue-green algae guide.) You’ll be able to put your email on our go-to list soon!