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High levels of potentially toxic blue-green algae have been detected at Lake Weeroona and Lake Tom Thumb.
City of Greater Bendigo environmental health and local laws manager Susannah Milne urged visitors at both sites to obey the warning signs and avoid contact with the water.
“Activities that don’t involve direct contact with water can still be enjoyed, but people who come into contact with the water should wash their skin immediately in clean water,” Ms Milne said.
“Residents should also keep their dogs on a lead at all times to stop them from entering the water.”
She said warm temperatures and a lack of water flowing into the lakes had created ideal conditions for algal blooms.
Blue-green algae occur naturally and can be dangerous to humans and animals.
Contact with algae can cause skin rashes or itchiness, sore eyes, ears and nose or, if swallowed, nausea and vomiting.
The city said it would continue to closely monitor blue-green algae levels in Greater Bendigo lakes, and warned blue-green algae remained present in other lakes across the municipality.
Blue-green algae blooms often disappear after a few weeks.
However, when conditions remain favourable, blooms can last longer.
The city said it was not known how long algae, detected during routine monitoring, would remain at high levels.
Regular updates on blue-green algae alerts are available at www.bendigo.vic.gov.au
