The health department is warning that swimming and other activities that could cause accidental ingestion of water are not permitted at the lakes until the health alert is lifted. Water samples taken earlier in the week showed toxin levels from the algae were three times the safe level.
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In 2014, a dog died shortly after playing water affected by another algal bloom.
State water officials say they’ve have found algae blooming in areas of Pyramid Lake in Los Angeles County.
Jodi Gardberg is an environmental project manager with the state Division of Water Quality. Health officials say this is potentially harmful to people and their pets.
According to satellite imagery, the algal bloom covers about 90 percent of the lake on the surface and subsurface.
A health alert has been issued for Big Indian Creek Lake in Gage County, Swan Creek Lake in Saline County and Iron Horse Trail Lake in Pawnee County. “One of the ways we protect the health of people and animals is by testing water for the presence of toxin producing algal species”.
Blooms such as this one are risky because they contain cyanobacteria that can cause headaches, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and allergic reactions with skin contact, according to a Utah Department of Health release obtained by the Salt Lake Tribune.
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For health information, to report human or pet illnesses due to blooms, or to ask questions about a news release, contact the Oregon Health Authority at 971-673-0400.
