Algae Awareness for Muskegon Lake 

July 15, 2026

The City of Muskegon is sharing information from Public Health Muskegon County and local environmental partners to help residents and visitors recognize and safely respond to algal blooms that may occur on Muskegon Lake during the summer months. 

Recent monitoring has identified areas of algae growth in portions of the lake. While many algae are harmless, certain blooms can produce toxins that may affect people and pets. Conditions can vary significantly throughout the lake and may change from day to day. 

What To Look For 

Harmful algal blooms may appear as: 

  • Spilled paint  
  • Pea soup  
  • Floating scum  
  • Mats  
  • Streaks  
  • Clumps  
  • Sheens  

Examples are shown on this Algae Awareness flyer.  

An educational infographic titled "Algae Awareness" from Public Health Muskegon County. The top banner reads: "Have fun in the water, but always look for harmful algal blooms that can make people and pets sick." Below the banner, five circular icons illustrate key safety rules: 1. A hand over green waves with a red "no" slash: "DO NOT touch water or shoreline with algal blooms." 2. A person wading with a red "no" slash: "DO NOT swim or recreate near algal blooms." 3. A person swimming in clear blue water inside a green circle: "DO enjoy clear water or shoreline with no algal blooms." 4. A person rinsing under a shower head inside a green circle: "Always rinse people off after any water contact." 5. A dog rinsing under a shower head inside a green circle: "Always rinse pets off after any water contact." A teal horizontal banner in the middle states: "Harmful algal blooms look like: spilled paint, pea soup, floating scums, mats, sheens, clumps, or streaks." Directly beneath this text is a row of five real-world photographs showing various forms of green, cloudy, and clumpy algal blooms in lakes and along shorelines. A bottom teal banner reads: "When in doubt, keep yourself, children, and pets out!" The footer includes the following call to action and contact information: * "Call your doctor or veterinarian if you or your pet/animal get sick after going in the water. For more information, visit Michigan.gov/HABs" * Public Health Muskegon County logo (with the tagline: "Prevent. Promote. Protect.") * "Call 231-724-6208"

If You Encounter an Algal Bloom 

If you see water that appears to contain an algal bloom: 

  • Do not swim or recreate in the affected area.  
  • Avoid touching the water or shoreline where blooms are present.  
  • Keep children and pets away from the water.  
  • Rinse people and pets thoroughly after any water contact.  

Understanding Algal Blooms 

Like bacteria levels, algal blooms are not evenly distributed throughout a lake. One shoreline may have visible algae while another area remains clear. Wind, currents, weather, and water conditions can all influence where blooms develop and how long they remain. 

Monitoring conducted by local researchers has found that algae concentrations and toxin levels can vary between sampling locations, reinforcing the importance of avoiding areas where blooms are visible. 

Staying Informed 

The city will continue coordinating with Public Health Muskegon County, Grand Valley State University, and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to share updated information as it becomes available. 

If you have questions about harmful algal blooms, visit the Michigan Harmful Algal Blooms website or contact Public Health Muskegon County. Additionally you can read through this FAQ on harmful algal blooms from the Michigan Department of Health and Suman Services (MDHHS).