Is Medicine Lake safe to swim?

As of July 20, 2026, Medicine Lake in Sheridan County, Montana is not recommended for swimming. Satellite imagery measured 445,311 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

Medicine Lake is a lake in Sheridan County, Montana covering about 14.1 sq mi, the 7th-largest of the 124 lakes SwimZone monitors in Montana. Satellite imagery measured 445,311 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, Medicine Lake 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 5,885,495 cells/mL in September 2022.

Is it safe to swim in Medicine Lake right now?

Medicine Lake is not recommended for swimming today. Satellite imagery measured 445,311 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 Medicine Lake have blue-green algae (cyanobacteria)?

Yes. Satellite monitoring measured 445,311 cells/mL of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) at Medicine 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 Medicine Lake?

No. Blue-green algae at Medicine Lake is above the safe-contact threshold (445,311 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 Medicine Lake have blue-green algae blooms?

Over 7 summers of satellite monitoring since 2020, Medicine Lake 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 5,885,495 cells/mL in September 2022.

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

Today, 19 Montana waters are above a safe-contact threshold and 2 more warrant caution, out of 135 monitored waters SwimZone tracks in the state.

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