Kim Fundingsland/MDN The State Health Department has issued a Water Advisory for Rice Lake in Ward County where blue-green algae is present. The advisory means areas of visible scum on the water should be avoided.

RICE LAKE – A Water advisory has been issued for this Ward County lake. The State Health Department Division of Environmental Quality says testing has revealed the presence of microcystin toxin levels above minimum safety standards.

The advisory does not mean the lake should not be used for recreational activities, such as swimming and boating, but rather “advises” people and boaters to avoid areas of visible scum on the water. The lake tested for microcystin levels above 10 parts per billion earlier this week, a level that triggers the Department of Health to issue an advisory.

The advisory means a blue-green algae bloom is present in the water body. Blue-green algae is known to be harmful to humans and pets. The DOH says people should not come in contact with water if it looks like spilled green paint or pea soup. Futhermore, advises the DOH, people should avoid swallowing water and rinse off with clean water after swimming.

Fish taken from Rice Lake remain safe to consume, but fishermen should rinse their hands with clean water after landing fish and wash fish thoroughly with tap water before cleaning.

If conditions advance the DOH could issue a warning for Rice Lake. The department issues warnings for water bodies where a blue-green algae bloom is present over a significant portion of a lake and excessive mocrocystin levels has been measured.

Where blue-green algae develops, often visible by the appearance of spilled blue paint on the water or shoreline, high microsystin levels can result in the death of animals within a few hours. Under such conditions people should avoid all contact with the water.

In previous years the DOH has received reports of sick children and dead pets and livestock from exposure to water containing blue-green algae. According to the DOH, specific human health effects include allergic-like reaction, skin rashes, eye irritation gastroenteritis, respiratory irritation and neurological effects.

Rice Lake was also flagged by the DOH with a water advisory in 2019 but conditions did not advance to necessitate a warning.

Other lakes included in the latest water advisory are Lake Tschida in Grant County, Sweetbriar Lake in Morton County and Froelich Dam in Sioux County. Advisories were issued earlier this summer for Jamestown Dam and Spiritwood Lake in Stutsman County, Bowman-Haley Dam in Bowman County, Buffalo Lake in Pierce County, Coal Mine Lake in Sheridan County, Renwick Dam in Pembina County and Homme Dam in Walsh County.

This year Patterson Lake in Stark County is the only body of water in the state for which the DOH has issued a warning for blue-green algae.