Authorities warn against swimming in two Bavarian lakes

Authorities have banned swimming at one Bavarian lake and issued an urgent warning at another because of high concentrations of blue-green algae, BR reported on Friday.

The ban applies to Bismarckweiher, a bathing lake in Steingaden in the Weilheim-Schongau district of Upper Bavaria. The district office said it had detected large quantities of cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae.

At Untreusee, a reservoir and popular leisure area in the south of Hof in Upper Franconia, the health authority found an exceptionally high concentration during a routine inspection. The city is urgently advising people not to swim there. Dogs should also be kept out of the water.

Contact with or swallowing water contaminated by blue-green algae can cause health problems, including liver damage, headaches, nausea and vomiting. The city also warned that pets, especially dogs, could suffer serious poisoning if they drink the water or lick contaminated water from their fur.