No one wants to talk about dead dogs, but if you have any canine companion or children, this information is important. There’s a silent killer that may be hiding in your lakes, rivers, and ponds, and it’s a blue-green algae you definitely don’t want to mess with. Scroll on for more details.

Illinois is surrounded by bodies of water from the Great Lakes to several great rivers with many lakes and ponds in between.
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Unfortunately, you may have heard the news over the past several weeks that these waters are killing our canine companions. Dogs have died from swimming in contaminated waters in North Carolina, Georgia, and Texas.
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The cause of this contamination is blue-green algae, which can be made up of tiny toxic organisms. Summer makes for the ideal conditions for these algae blooms to form.
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The magic and deadly combination is nitrogen runoff and extreme heat, which is common at the end of the summer. It creates a bright green algae that can have a blueish tint due to the water and reflections.
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Before allowing you, your child, or your pet to enter any body of water this time of year, it is best to check it for waves or streaks of this blue-green algae.
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Dogs and children are most at risk because they are likely to swallow the water they are swimming in, which contains the deadly toxins.
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Some algae is so toxic that is begins to work right away and its victims never even leave the water. The poisons can cause anything from internal bleeding to organ failure. If you think you or your pet has been contaminated, consult a doctor immediately.
When a beach or other body of water has a reported case of this algae, signs are typically posted, so keep a look out, and if you see something yourself, say something to the nearest person in charge of the water.
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For some fun on the water without getting in the water, check out these seven excellent Illinois river cruises.

If you’ve spotted this blue-green algae, share which places you’ve seen it with us below in the comments.

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