Dangers of swimming with algae (potentially Eurasian Watermilfoil)
I took my first lake swim recently and found my lake has a fair amount algae, which bothered me more than I expected it too. After some limited research, I found someone saying that it's Eurasian Watermilfoil (though I'm not sure that's correct), here's a picture:
For an idea of volume, you can see the video here (skip to 41s [probably turn the volume off too]):
Video of windsurfing with a good view of the lake's plantlife (YouTube video in French)
Are there any dangers of swimming with this stuff(assuming volume and proximity to surface are the same as in the video)? Specifically my concerns are:
- Getting caught up in it
- Something living in it taking a dislike to me
What (if any) are the dangers, and what can i do to mitigate them?
Lake is Lac Miribel Jonage, Lyon, France if that helps- ignore if it makes the question too specific
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Those are just aquatic plants, not algae, and you'll find them in any healthy lake anywhere in the world. They pose no danger to you. No, you won't get tangled in them and drown. People swim through stuff like that all the time. And I really can't imagine what might be lurking in a lake in France that should concern you.
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You can indeed get sick from swimming in algae, if the algae is a bloom. Not all algae in lakes is harmful - in fact, it shows that the lake's ecosystem is alive. But too much algae can be dangerous, as it deprives the water of oxygen, and introduces harmful bacteria.
Here is a warning from New York State:
Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) FAQs
And another from Indiana:
Swimming, Boating and Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)
Michigan:
Harmful Algal Blooms in the Great Lakes
Washington:
...and your neck of the woods, the European Environmental Agency:
Blue-green algae - check the water before you swim
I agree that the photo you shared is of plants, not algae, so not harmful. But if you really meant algae, and not the plants listed, you should pay attention to these links. (Well, you should pay attention to the links anyway...)
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All of the lakes in my city are infested with milfoil. In small amounts it is not a hazard. It is a tough, scratchy plant and I have gotten (brief) rashes on my arms after swimming through thick patches. The other hazard is that it drags on your limbs. If you remain calm it is fatiguing. If you panic it could be quite dangerous.
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