Is Lake Juliana safe to swim?

As of July 20, 2026, Lake Juliana in Polk County, Florida is not recommended for swimming. Satellite imagery measured 471,306 cells/mL of blue-green algae on July 19, 2026, above the 100,000 cells/mL advisory threshold. Rainfall over the past week totaled 0.2 in, which can wash bacteria and nutrients into the water.

How this read is built

Lake Juliana is a lake in Polk County, Florida covering about 1.4 sq mi, the 91st-largest of the 230 lakes SwimZone monitors in Florida. Satellite imagery measured 471,306 cells/mL of blue-green algae on July 19, 2026, above the 100,000 cells/mL advisory threshold.

Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms are most common from midsummer into early fall, when the water is warm, calm, and rich in nutrients from runoff. They can produce toxins that make people sick and can be rapidly fatal to dogs, so skip water that looks green, scummy, or like spilled paint, and keep children and pets out of it.

Over 7 summers of satellite monitoring since 2020, Lake Juliana has reached blue-green algae advisory levels in 7 of them, most recently in June 2026. This is a lake that blooms most summers. Its highest recorded reading was 701,105 cells/mL in August 2024.

Is it safe to swim in Lake Juliana right now?

Lake Juliana is not recommended for swimming today. Satellite imagery measured 471,306 cells/mL of blue-green algae on July 19, 2026, above the 100,000 cells/mL advisory threshold. Conditions can change quickly with wind, heat, and rain, so check the posted signs and look at the water before you get in.

Does Lake Juliana have blue-green algae (cyanobacteria)?

Yes. Satellite monitoring measured 471,306 cells/mL of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) at Lake Juliana on July 19, 2026, above the 100,000 cells/mL advisory level. Avoid swimming and keep children and pets out of the water.

Can dogs swim in Lake Juliana?

No. Blue-green algae at Lake Juliana is above the safe-contact threshold (471,306 cells/mL on July 19, 2026). Cyanobacteria toxins can be rapidly fatal to dogs, which swallow it while swimming and lick it from their fur. Keep dogs out of the water and away from any scum along the shore.

How often does Lake Juliana have blue-green algae blooms?

Over 7 summers of satellite monitoring since 2020, Lake Juliana has reached blue-green algae advisory levels in 7 of them, most recently in June 2026. This is a lake that blooms most summers. Its highest recorded reading was 701,105 cells/mL in August 2024.

How many Florida lakes and beaches are unsafe for swimming today?

Today, 97 Florida waters are above a safe-contact threshold and 350 more warrant caution, out of 779 monitored waters SwimZone tracks in the state.

How is Lake Juliana's water quality measured?

SwimZone builds this read from EPA CyAN satellite imagery for blue-green algae, official beach and fecal-bacteria advisories where a program monitors Lake Juliana, and a recent-rainfall overlay, all refreshed daily. It was last updated July 20, 2026.