Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Ijams Nature Center officials issue a warning Friday about Mead’s Quarry Lake.
Officials say you should not swim in the Quarry right now and neither should your pets.
The lake is suffering a temporary algae bloom which Ijams says has the potential to be toxic to both people and pets.
The bloom was discovered through water quality testing by UT students and faculty during a class.
Officials say until the health advisory is lifted, neither you nor your pets should swim, wade, or come into contact with the water until further notice.
According to officials, symptoms to watch out for include upset stomach, vomiting and diarrhea. Heavy exposure could also result in liver or kidney damage and can harm your pets as well.
The center said it’s working closely with the Tennessee Department of Health and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to monitor the levels.
If you think you, your family or your pets are experiencing symptoms after swimming in the lake, contact the Tennessee Department of Health. You can e-mail them at Waterborne.Health@tn.gov or call 615-741-7247.
