Areas in Swan Lake, located in Allegan County, where tests were done in August 2020 to detect harmful algae. (Photo courtesy Allegan County Health Department).

Algae Advisory for Allegan Co. lake lifted, but could return

By Gary Stevens Jul 12, 2023 | 6:31 PM

ALLEGAN, MI (WHTC-AM/FM, July 12, 2023) – What has become an annual occurrence at an Allegan County lake is over for the time being.

On Wednesday, the county’s health department lifted a Harmful Algae Bloom advisory it had placed on June 28^th for the waters of Swan Lake in Cheshire Township. Water samples taken last Friday, “did not detect microcystin present in the tested areas,” according to a department statement.

Such algae had developed in that lake from last July through December, and from August to November in 2021, so the department’s caution that “conditions are favorable for another HAB to develop, so consider using caution with people or pet-related lake water activities” has some historical relevance.

Testing by the department will continue on a weekly basis through Labor Day.