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Toxic algae guides

Plain-English answers to the questions people ask before they go in the water, based on guidance from the CDC, the US EPA and state health agencies.

Can you swim in a lake with algae?What the advisory levels mean and how to decide before you get in.
What does toxic algae look like?The colours, scums and mats that signal a harmful bloom.
Blue-green algae symptoms in peopleSigns of exposure, who is most at risk and when to get help.
Blue-green algae vs green algaeHow to tell harmless algae from a possible toxic bloom.
Toxic algae and dogsSymptoms, what to do in the first minutes and how to keep your dog safe.