Rogue Alligator Not The Only Danger At Humboldt Park Lagoon

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A rouge alligator isn’t the only danger the Humboldt Park Lagoon has faced this week. 

Potentially toxic blue-green algae has formed in the Humboldt Park Lagoon, prompting the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to urge the Chicago Park District to put up warning signs around the lagoon and to prohibit boating on the water.

Related: Search Continues For Gator In Humboldt Park Lagoon

Teri Holland, a lake biologist with the IEPA, said the conditions lately have been ideal for the formation of the potentially toxic blue-green algae.

"We had a lot of rain, so it is bringing in lots of nutrients from the surrounding area into our water bodies and nutrients are what feed these algae, all algae, and blue-green algae particularly like it when it gets hot," Holland said. 

"Some of them do produce some chemicals that can harm people or the environment under the right conditions. And unfortunately right now, we are starting to get into the right conditions that they really like."

The Chicago Park District issued a statement pointing out blue-green algae is naturally occurring, and it doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with the way the lagoon is maintained.