Is Little Platte Lake safe to swim?

As of July 20, 2026, Little Platte Lake in Benzie County, Michigan is not recommended for swimming. Satellite imagery measured 316,828 cells/mL of blue-green algae on July 19, 2026, above the 100,000 cells/mL advisory threshold. Rainfall over the past week totaled 0.0 in, which can wash bacteria and nutrients into the water.

How this read is built

Little Platte Lake is a lake in Benzie County, Michigan covering about 1.4 sq mi, the 81st-largest of the 263 lakes SwimZone monitors in Michigan. Satellite imagery measured 316,828 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, Little Platte Lake 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 643,907 cells/mL in September 2020.

Is it safe to swim in Little Platte Lake right now?

Little Platte Lake is not recommended for swimming today. Satellite imagery measured 316,828 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 Little Platte Lake have blue-green algae (cyanobacteria)?

Yes. Satellite monitoring measured 316,828 cells/mL of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) at Little Platte Lake 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 Little Platte Lake?

No. Blue-green algae at Little Platte Lake is above the safe-contact threshold (316,828 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 Little Platte Lake have blue-green algae blooms?

Over 7 summers of satellite monitoring since 2020, Little Platte Lake 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 643,907 cells/mL in September 2020.

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

Today, 47 Michigan waters are above a safe-contact threshold and 100 more warrant caution, out of 882 monitored waters SwimZone tracks in the state.

How is Little Platte Lake'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 Little Platte Lake, and a recent-rainfall overlay, all refreshed daily. It was last updated July 20, 2026.