Health advisory issued for Silver Lake Campground after algae bloom detected
Blue-green algae put Silver Lake Campground under a health advisory, and testing was still underway as campers headed for the lake.
A health advisory has been issued for Silver Lake Campground in the Croom Tract of Withlacoochee State Forest after the Florida Department of Health in Hernando County reported blue-green algae in Silver Lake on June 15. The campground sits at 31475 Silver Lake Road in Brooksville, about 5 miles from I-75, on the shore of a lake that is part of the Withlacoochee River system.
The warning matters because Silver Lake is one of the forest’s recreation stops, with camping, fishing, paddling and boat access all centered on the same water now under scrutiny. Silver Lake Campground is listed as open year round, and state health officials said sampling was underway as blooms can change quickly before toxin levels are confirmed. Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, are common in Florida waters and can produce harmful toxins.
Officials urged residents and visitors not to drink the water, swim in it, wade in it, use personal watercraft on it or otherwise come into contact with visible blooms, scum, foam, mats or water that looks greenish. They also warned against cooking with or cleaning dishes using contaminated water, because boiling does not remove toxins. Pets and livestock should be kept away from affected water, and any pet that seems ill after exposure should be seen by a veterinarian.
Exposure can show up as skin irritation, sore or red eyes, sore throats, runny noses, swollen lips and fatigue. Children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems face added risk, which makes the advisory especially important for families planning a weekend around the campground or shoreline.
Residents who develop symptoms after contact with the water can call the Florida Poison Information Center at 800-222-1222. Fish kills should be reported to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 800-636-0511, and bloom reports can be sent to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection at 855-305-3903, where citizen reports are reviewed and sampling is coordinated with agencies including the water management districts and FWC. The Silver Lake alert followed a separate blue-green algae caution near Nobleton on May 8, another sign that Hernando County waters remain on close watch this season.
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