Is Meander Creek Reservoir safe to swim?

As of July 20, 2026, Meander Creek Reservoir in Mahoning County, Ohio is not recommended for swimming. Satellite imagery measured 408,981 cells/mL of blue-green algae on July 19, 2026, above the 100,000 cells/mL advisory threshold. Rainfall over the past week totaled 0.6 in, which can wash bacteria and nutrients into the water.

How this read is built

Meander Creek Reservoir is a reservoir in Mahoning County, Ohio covering about 2.9 sq mi, the 13th-largest of the 42 lakes SwimZone monitors in Ohio. Satellite imagery measured 408,981 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 6 summers of satellite monitoring since 2020, Meander Creek Reservoir has reached blue-green algae advisory levels in 2 of them, most recently in June 2025. Blooms here have been occasional rather than annual. Its highest recorded reading was 1,551,469 cells/mL in June 2025.

Is it safe to swim in Meander Creek Reservoir right now?

Meander Creek Reservoir is not recommended for swimming today. Satellite imagery measured 408,981 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 Meander Creek Reservoir have blue-green algae (cyanobacteria)?

Yes. Satellite monitoring measured 408,981 cells/mL of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) at Meander Creek Reservoir 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 Meander Creek Reservoir?

No. Blue-green algae at Meander Creek Reservoir is above the safe-contact threshold (408,981 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 Meander Creek Reservoir have blue-green algae blooms?

Over 6 summers of satellite monitoring since 2020, Meander Creek Reservoir has reached blue-green algae advisory levels in 2 of them, most recently in June 2025. Blooms here have been occasional rather than annual. Its highest recorded reading was 1,551,469 cells/mL in June 2025.

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

Today, 26 Ohio waters are above a safe-contact threshold and 12 more warrant caution, out of 100 monitored waters SwimZone tracks in the state.

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