LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Local officials are reporting a finding of a harmful algal bloom in Blue Lakes.
Following recent rains, an algae bloom was noted in the southern edge of Blue Lakes on Dec. 12, the county of Lake reported.
Samples were collected and sent for testing. The laboratory has confirmed a low level of a toxin called anatoxin at 0.17 µg/l.
Anatoxin is a chemical produced by the algae that can cause severe nerve problems.
While such blooms are more common in warmer weather, the State Water Board said caution should be used throughout the year.
Caution signs have been posted in the affected area, in accordance with state recommendations responsive to detection of any level of anatoxin.
Lake County Public Health recommends the public take note of the bloom and the presence of the anatoxin.
Small children and pets are especially at risk; please keep children and dogs away from the material on the beach and avoid letting them swim or play in the water until this bloom subsides.
Under a caution advisory, fishing is allowed but our guidance is to throw away the guts (and liver) and clean and rinse the fillets with tap or bottled water before cooking. Shellfish should not be eaten under a caution advisory.
The Clear Lake cyanobacteria monitoring program run by the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians and Elem Indian Colony funded the analysis. Their program has been routinely collecting a water sample at the Upper Blue Lakes as part of their monitoring program.
Further testing will be performed in order to monitor ongoing risk. Public Health said this program has been highly beneficial to the health of the Lake County community.
For current cyanotoxin lab results, visit the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians cyanotoxin monitoring website at https://www.bvrancheria.com/clearlakecyanotoxins.
For more information and resources, visit the County’s cyanobacteria pages at http://www.lakecountyca.gov/cyanobacteria/ and http://www.lakecountyca.gov/cyanohealth/ .
Officials report anatoxin from algae detected in Blue Lakes
- Lake County News reports
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