Blue-Green Algae Outbreak Closes Lake Opeka: Park District

DES PLAINES, IL — The Des Plaines Park District has closed Lake Opeka due to a blue-green algae outbreak, park district officials announced this past week. The Lake Park marina has been closed to all boating operations until further notice, according to a post on Sept. 10 on the Des Plaines Park District Facebook page.

Park district officials are discouraging fishing, swimming or boating in the lake and urging residents to make sure their pets do not drink from the lake.

In addition, the Izaak Walton Fishing Derby, which was scheduled to be held on Saturday at Fall Fest, has also been cancelled. There will be no bait available for sale in the clubhouse during the lake closure.

Meanwhile, the water in the lake is being tested and Lake Opeka will remain closed until test results are available, according to park district officials.

In June, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and Illinois Department of Public Health first urged residents to report sightings of harmful — and potentially fatal to dogs — blue-green algae blooms.

IDPH said the agencies were conducting surveillance on Illinois lakes, rivers and ponds after news of harmful algae blooms (HABs) around the nation this summer. Residents are also asked to report any possible sightings of harmful algae, as well as any illness in humans or animals.

Earlier this summer, Woods Creek Lake in Lake In The Hills was closed for nearly a week after toxic algae was discovered. Two years ago, the St. Charles Park District warned dog owners to keep their pets out of the water after the toxic algae was found in a pond at a dog park.

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More information via the Des Plaines Park District Facebook page and EPA website