- LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
- Posted On
Concerning cyanobacteria levels detected at Lake Pillsbury
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — County health officials are reporting that recent testing has found concerning levels of cyanobacteria in Lake Pillsbury.
Cyanobacteria — also known as blue-green algae — are microscopic organisms that naturally occur in all freshwater and marine aquatic ecosystems.
Cyanobacteria or blue-green algae is not to be confused with green algae (i.e., phytoplankton), which is beneficial, nontoxic, and always present in Lake Pillsbury.
Regional health and water resource officials are reminding those enjoying local lakes and streams to maintain awareness of cyanobacterial blooms and take appropriate caution.
As is the case with all large, biologically rich bodies of water, Lake Pillsbury is dynamic in water quality.
Recently, during a preholiday assessment, water quality technicians observed cyanobacteria in the water column throughout the area, appearing as small grass clippings, strings, and clumps.
The preholiday samplings collected at Lake Pillsbury on June 20 were recently analyzed.
Moderate to low densities of the following cyanobacteria genera were identified by microscopy: Aphanizomenon, Woronichinia and Dolichospermum. The following cyanotoxins were not detected: Anatoxin-a, Cylindrospermopsin, Microcystin and Saxitoxin.
Blooms can rapidly appear, dissipate or move depending on waterbody conditions. Updated water quality sampling results will be available next week after the July 4 holiday.
Usually, cyanobacteria concentrations are low and not harmful to humans and animals. However, under certain conditions (high nutrients and warm weather), these organisms can rapidly grow, forming visible colonies or “harmful algal blooms.”
The toxic chemicals sometimes produced by these algal blooms are referred to as “cyanotoxins.” Exposure to these toxins causes sickness and other severe health effects in
people, pets, and livestock.
Sensitive individuals, including young children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems are most at risk of adverse health effects attributable to cyanotoxins.
Individuals are most often exposed while swimming or participating in other recreational activities in and on the water.
The most common routes of exposure are direct skin contact, accidental ingestion of contaminated water, and accidental inhalation of water droplets in the air (e.g., while water skiing).
Symptoms of exposure to cyanotoxins include rashes, hives, diarrhea, vomiting, coughing, or wheezing. More severe symptoms may result from longer or greater amounts of exposure.
Those who plan to recreate in or on Lake County waters should look for informational signs posted throughout the county and avoid contact with water that:
• looks like spilled green or blue-green paint;
• has surface scums, mats, or films;
• has a blue or green crust at the shoreline;
• is discolored or has green-colored streaks; or
• has greenish globs suspended in the water beneath the surface.
If you are concerned you have symptoms resulting from exposure to cyanotoxins, immediately contact your health care provider, or call Lake County Health Services at 707-263-1090. Please be sure to report the timing and details of the exposure.
If you see or think you see a cyanotoxin bloom, please contact Water Resources at 707-263-2344 or Environmental Health at 707-263-1164.
Anyone can report a cyanotoxin bloom or receive additional information at the California Harmful Algal Blooms Portal here: www.mywaterquality.ca.gov/habs/.
Keep pets and livestock out of the water when harmful algal blooms are present. Do not allow pets and livestock to drink from the water and do not allow them to lick their fur after swimming in water containing cyanobacteria. If you or your pet has contact with water you suspect may include a cyanotoxin bloom, rinse off with clean, fresh water as soon as possible.
If your pet experiences symptoms that may be the result of exposure, contact your veterinarian immediately and inform them of the timing and details of the exposure.
To find the most current information on Lake County’s water quality, and where cyanotoxin blooms have been identified, visit the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians’ cyanotoxin monitoring webpage here: www.bvrancheria.com/clearlakecyanotoxins.
For additional information about cyanobacteria and harmful algal blooms, please visit the following sites:
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): www.cdc.gov/habs/index.html.
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): www.epa.gov/cyanohabs.
• County of Lake Cyanobacteria webpage: www.lakecountyca.gov/Government/Directory/WaterResources/ClearLake/Cyanobacteria.htm.