Mckethan Lake algae bloom history
Florida's Department of Environmental Protection sampled Mckethan Lake 2 times between 2022 and 2023. Staff saw a bloom on 2 visits (100%).
Microcystin, the most common algal toxin, was not detected in any sample tested here.
- 2022 1 of 1 visit
- 2023 1 of 1 visit
When do algae blooms happen at Mckethan Lake?
Unusually, about 100% of reports here fall between November and February, so blooms aren't only a summer problem at Mckethan Lake. Some of this reflects when the lake is monitored, not just when blooms happen.
Blooms can appear, move with the wind and fade within hours or days, so the time of year is only a guide.
Recent Mckethan Lake algae reports
| Date | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 9 January 2023 | McKethan Lake - East | Bloom seen · microcystin not detected |
| 15 November 2022 | McKethan Lake - East | Bloom seen · microcystin not detected |
What the Florida results mean
Florida records whether staff saw a bloom at each visit and, when a sample is tested, how much microcystin it contained.
- Bloom seen
- Staff saw a bloom at the sampling site, and no toxin was found or tested.
- Toxin detected
- Microcystin, a liver toxin made by blue-green algae, was found in the sample.
- 8 µg/L or more
- At or above the level where the US EPA recommends swimming advisories.
Is Mckethan Lake safe for dogs?
Dogs are at the greatest risk from toxic algae. They swallow water while swimming, eat scum on the shore and lick algae off their fur afterwards, and a small amount can kill a dog within hours.
- Keep your dog on a lead near water that looks green, scummy, foamy or discoloured, and away from algae washed up on the shore.
- If your dog gets in, rinse it straight away with clean water and don't let it lick its coat.
- Call a vet immediately if your dog vomits, drools, has diarrhoea, staggers, shakes or seems weak after being near the water.
Read the full guide to toxic algae and dogs: symptoms, what to do in the first minutes and how vets treat it.
Health effects of toxic algae
Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) can produce toxins that affect the liver, nervous system and skin. Swallowing water during a bloom can cause stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. Skin contact can cause rashes, and breathing spray from the water can irritate the eyes, nose and throat. Children are at higher risk because they are smaller and more likely to swallow water.
How to spot a bloom
Toxic blooms can look like pea soup, spilled paint or green streaks on the surface, and they can also be blue, brown, white or red. Scum often collects along the shore downwind. If you can't see your feet in knee-deep water, or you aren't sure, stay out.
Don't drink untreated lake water, and don't boil it to make it safe: boiling doesn't destroy algal toxins. If you feel unwell after contact with the water, contact a doctor or Poison Control on 1-800-222-1222.
Nearby lakes with algae reports
- Withlacoochee River15 km away, 3 reports, last in 2025
- Silver Lake15 km away, 2 reports, last in 2023
- Dowling Lake25 km away, 4 reports, last in 2024
- Lake Dowling25 km away, 3 reports, last in 2024
- Lake Panasoffkee27 km away, 7 reports, last in 2025
Questions about Mckethan Lake
Is there algae in Mckethan Lake right now?
Florida's most recent sample from Mckethan Lake, on 9 January 2023 at McKethan Lake - East, found a bloom and no microcystin toxin was detected. Florida publishes its data in yearly batches, so for today's conditions check the DEP Algal Bloom Dashboard and the signs at the shore.
When was the last algae bloom at Mckethan Lake?
The most recent entry in Florida's data is from 9 January 2023 at McKethan Lake - East: a bloom seen during sampling.
Has Mckethan Lake had toxic algae before?
Yes. Blooms are recorded every year from 2022 to 2023.
Can dogs swim in Mckethan Lake?
Keep dogs out of the water whenever a bloom is reported or the water looks green, scummy or discoloured. Dogs are the animals most often killed by algal toxins because they swallow water and lick their fur. If your dog swims in water that might have algae, rinse it with clean water and call a vet if it vomits, drools, staggers or seems weak.
Can you eat fish caught in Mckethan Lake during a bloom?
If you keep fish caught during a bloom, health agencies advise removing the guts and liver and rinsing the fillets in clean water before cooking, because toxins collect most in the organs. Some agencies advise not eating fish from an active bloom at all, so follow local guidance.
About this data
This page uses official records from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which published as a yearly file; current sampling is shown on the DEP dashboard. Reports are grouped by waterbody. The site was last rebuilt on 24 October 2026.
States only test some lakes, some of the time, so a lake without a recent report hasn't necessarily been checked. This page is independent, isn't affiliated with the State of Florida, and isn't health advice. View the source data.