Is Lake Washington safe to swim?

As of July 20, 2026, Lake Washington in Le Sueur County, Minnesota is not recommended for swimming. Satellite imagery measured 2,060,359 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

Lake Washington is a lake in Le Sueur County, Minnesota covering about 2.3 sq mi, the 179th-largest of the 960 lakes SwimZone monitors in Minnesota. Satellite imagery measured 2,060,359 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 Washington has reached blue-green algae advisory levels in 7 of them, most recently in July 2026. This is a lake that blooms most summers. Its highest recorded reading was 2,979,223 cells/mL in September 2024.

Is it safe to swim in Lake Washington right now?

Lake Washington is not recommended for swimming today. Satellite imagery measured 2,060,359 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 Washington have blue-green algae (cyanobacteria)?

Yes. Satellite monitoring measured 2,060,359 cells/mL of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) at Lake Washington 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 Washington?

No. Blue-green algae at Lake Washington is above the safe-contact threshold (2,060,359 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 Washington have blue-green algae blooms?

Over 7 summers of satellite monitoring since 2020, Lake Washington has reached blue-green algae advisory levels in 7 of them, most recently in July 2026. This is a lake that blooms most summers. Its highest recorded reading was 2,979,223 cells/mL in September 2024.

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

Today, 307 Minnesota waters are above a safe-contact threshold and 34 more warrant caution, out of 1162 monitored waters SwimZone tracks in the state.

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