The Berrien County Health Department is working with the Michigan Department of the Environment, Great Lakes and Energy to investigate a greenish patch that was reported on the surface of Lake Michigan off St. Joseph this week. Berrien County Health Department spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News while there were some concerns it could be an algae bloom, that’s not thought to be likely.
“The preliminary information that we are hearing and seeing is suggesting that it’s not algae, it’s not producing any sort of harmful toxin, and in fact it’s a harmless water plant often called duck weed,” Conrad said.
Conrad says duck weed can usually be found in rivers and streams, but with high runoff lately, some could have wound up in Lake Michigan.
“Speaking with some of the experts up at the lab and some toxicologists, they were all pretty confident about this not being a harmful algae bloom. In fact, they’re pretty convinced that it’s just duck weed.”
Nevertheless, the state is testing samples taken from Lake Michigan this week to be sure. Conrad expects the results any minute now. Whatever the substance is, Conrad says everyone is still always advised to rinse themselves off after they’ve been swimming and not to drink untreated lake water. Also, she says rinse off your pets after they’ve been swimming in the lake.
