[env-trinity] Toxic algae in reservoirs elicits warnings from water board

[Tom Stokely]

http://www.times-standard.com/general-news/20160702/toxic-algae-in-reservoirs-elicits-warnings-from-water-board


Toxic algae in reservoirs elicits warnings from water board

By The Times-StandardSaturday, July 2, 2016The California Regional Water Quality Control Board is urging swimmers, boaters and recreational users to avoid direct contact with, or use of waters containing blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), which is currently blooming in the Copco and Iron Gate Reservoirs on the Klamath River.According to a Friday press release by the regional water board, the algal blooms appear as bright green in the water, and blue-green, white or brown foam, scum or mats that can float on the water and accumulate along the shore.The release states that recreational exposures can cause eye irritation, allergic skin rash, mouth ulcers, vomiting, diarrhea, and cold- and flu-like symptoms. It also states that liver failure, nerve damage and death have occurred in rare situations where large amounts of contaminated water were directly ingested.“The reservoirs are posted with health advisories warning against human and animal contact with the water,” the release states. “Cyanobacteria conditions in the Klamath River below the reservoirs remain below the advisory levels and have not been posted. Residents and recreational water users can still enjoy camping, hiking, biking, canoeing, picnicking, or other recreational activities at the reservoirs while taking precautions to avoid contact with waters near these bloom areas and any scums along the water’s edge.”The warnings are part of a string of recent cyanobacteria advisories within the Klamath Basin, as outlined by the release:On June 27, water samples from the Iron Gate Reservoir showed toxin-producing algae to be above the state of California’s Recommended Threshold for Recreational Waters for harmful algae blooms.On June 24, water samples from the Copco Reservoir didn’t meet the state’s recommended limit for harmful algae blooms.The Statewide Guidance on Harmful Algal Blooms recommends the following for blue-green algae impacted waters:• Take care that pets and livestock do not drink the water, swim through algae, scums or mats, or lick their fur after going in the water. Rinse pets in clean water to remove algae from fur.• Avoid wading, swimming or jet or water skiing in water containing algae blooms or scums or mats.• Do not drink, cook or wash dishes with untreated surface water from these areas under any circumstances; common water purification techniques (e.g., camping filters, tablets and boiling) do not remove toxins.• People should not eat mussels or other bivalves collected from these areas. Limit or avoid eating fish; if fish are consumed, remove guts and liver, and rinse filets in clean drinking water.
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