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MCP file photo of Hamlin Lake.
HAMLIN TOWNSHIP — District Health Department #10 and the Michigan Department of Environment Great Lakes and Energy have confirmed that an algae bloom in Hamlin Lake is harmful.
“A harmful algae bloom (HAB) has been confirmed at Hamlin Lake, Mason County, on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026,” states a press release. “DHD #10 will continue to monitor the HAB and will provide updates to the public when available. Algae blooms can form when there are high nutrient levels within bodies of water along with warm temperatures. Signs will be posted at the public access site of the lake to notify individuals to avoid contact with the water in that area as a precautionary measure.”
DHD #10 provided some steps to take when near waterways:
- Avoid direct contact with waterways that appear to be scummy or have a green shade to them
- Do not drink untreated surface water
- Obey posted signage for public health advisories and/or beach closings
- Limit or avoid eating fish from algal bloom impacted areas
“Contact with algae blooms can cause minor illness in humans but can be fatal to pets. Therefore, it is also recommended that people keep their pets out of water that shows any signs of algae blooms.”
People and pets can experience the following symptoms after exposure to algae blooms:
- Rash, hives, or skin blisters at the contact site
- Runny eyes and/or nose, sore throat, asthma-like symptoms, or allergic reactions
- Diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, weakness, tingly fingers, numbness, dizziness, difficulty breathing, or even death resulting from ingesting contaminated water, states DHD #10.
If you think that you or your pet have been exposed to algae blooms, take the following precautions:
- Immediately remove yourself and/or your pet from the area
- Take a shower and thoroughly rinse off pets with clean, fresh water if they swam in an area with algae blooms to avoid potential toxic ingestion from licking between paws or affected areas
- Seek medical treatment for yourself and/or veterinary treatment for your pet as soon as possible if you think you or your pet may have been exposed to or ingested algal toxins
“If you would like to learn more about algae blooms, EGLE has more information on what algae blooms are, where they are located, and frequently asked questions here.”
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