Is Pomme de Terre Lake safe to swim?

As of July 20, 2026, Pomme de Terre Lake in Hickory County, Missouri is not recommended for swimming. Satellite imagery measured 231,901 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

Pomme de Terre Lake is a lake in Hickory County, Missouri covering about 12 sq mi, the 3rd-largest of the 32 lakes SwimZone monitors in Missouri. Satellite imagery measured 231,901 cells/mL of blue-green algae on July 19, 2026, above the 100,000 cells/mL advisory threshold. Larger, warmer waters like this can hold a bloom for weeks once nutrients and calm weather line up.

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, Pomme de Terre Lake has reached blue-green algae advisory levels in 6 of them, most recently in June 2025. This is a lake that blooms most summers. Its highest recorded reading was 985,424 cells/mL in September 2023.

Is it safe to swim in Pomme de Terre Lake right now?

Pomme de Terre Lake is not recommended for swimming today. Satellite imagery measured 231,901 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 Pomme de Terre Lake have blue-green algae (cyanobacteria)?

Yes. Satellite monitoring measured 231,901 cells/mL of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) at Pomme de Terre 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 Pomme de Terre Lake?

No. Blue-green algae at Pomme de Terre Lake is above the safe-contact threshold (231,901 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 Pomme de Terre Lake have blue-green algae blooms?

Over 7 summers of satellite monitoring since 2020, Pomme de Terre Lake has reached blue-green algae advisory levels in 6 of them, most recently in June 2025. This is a lake that blooms most summers. Its highest recorded reading was 985,424 cells/mL in September 2023.

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

Today, 14 Missouri waters are above a safe-contact threshold and 1 more warrant caution, out of 34 monitored waters SwimZone tracks in the state.

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