Is White Lake safe to swim?

As of July 20, 2026, White Lake in Bennett County, South Dakota is clear to swim. Satellite imagery detected no blue-green algae bloom as of July 19, 2026. Rainfall over the past week totaled 0.0 in, which can wash bacteria and nutrients into the water.

How this read is built

White Lake is a lake in Bennett County, South Dakota. Satellite imagery detected no blue-green algae bloom as of July 19, 2026.

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, White Lake has reached blue-green algae advisory levels in 2 of them, most recently in August 2025. Blooms here have been occasional rather than annual. Its highest recorded reading was 5,885,495 cells/mL in August 2024.

Is it safe to swim in White Lake right now?

White Lake is clear to swim today. Satellite imagery detected no blue-green algae bloom as of July 19, 2026. Conditions can change quickly with wind, heat, and rain, so check the posted signs and look at the water before you get in.

Does White Lake have blue-green algae (cyanobacteria)?

No blue-green algae bloom is detectable at White Lake as of July 19, 2026 (below the satellite's roughly 10,000 cells/mL detection limit). Cyanobacteria can still appear within hours in warm, calm, nutrient-rich water, so look before you swim.

Can dogs swim in White Lake?

No bloom is detected at White Lake today, but dogs are much more vulnerable to blue-green algae than people, and blooms can form within hours. Always keep dogs away from water that looks green, scummy, or discolored, and rinse them off after swimming.

How often does White Lake have blue-green algae blooms?

Over 7 summers of satellite monitoring since 2020, White Lake has reached blue-green algae advisory levels in 2 of them, most recently in August 2025. Blooms here have been occasional rather than annual. Its highest recorded reading was 5,885,495 cells/mL in August 2024.

How many South Dakota lakes and beaches are unsafe for swimming today?

Today, 89 South Dakota waters are above a safe-contact threshold and 3 more warrant caution, out of 142 monitored waters SwimZone tracks in the state.

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