CHIPPEWA LAKE: The Medina County Park District has reopened the 330-acre Chippewa Lake after an algal bloom, but it’s still warning young children, pregnant and nursing women, senior citizens and pets to avoid having contact with the water.
The lake was closed Oct. 6 after test results showed algal toxin levels at 21.46 parts per billion. State health guidelines say the lake must be closed when the levels exceed 20.
The lake was reopened Friday after two consecutive tests showed levels below 20.
The warning, though, will remain in place until the levels fall below 6 parts per billion. The park district said it has posted warning notices at the lake and will continue to monitor the water on a weekly basis.
The park district blamed the higher algal levels on a combination of warm weather and drought conditions resulting in higher water temperatures and lower water levels.
The district has been monitoring Chippewa Lake since an algal bloom was first reported after the July 4 holiday.
An algal warning also is in place for the lake at Hubbard Valley Park in Seville. Recent water samples showed toxin levels of 17.288 ppb and 6.565 ppb.