Lake County News, California – “Dangerous” cyanotoxin levels detected at nine sites in Clear Lake



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Cyanobacteria at Fifth Street in Lakeport, California. Photo courtesy of Lake County.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif .– Officials have reported that recent tests at sites in Clear Lake have shown dangerous levels of cyanotoxin.

While much of the growth of aquatic plants visible in the lake is currently harmless, cyanobacteria, when present in sufficient abundance, can produce cyanotoxins, which pose health risks to humans, livestock and others. domestic animals.

Water monitoring is carried out on a regular basis by the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians with assistance from the EPA Department of Robinson Rancheria, at approximately 15 sites in Clear Lake.

All verified results are publicly available here.

Currently, the concentrations of microcystin cyanotoxin in many places around the lake are extremely high.

In a recent sampling conducted on Tuesday, August 25, tests confirmed by the EPA lab indicated the highest levels of two toxins that were recorded on Clear Lake during water sampling events: a microcystin (liver toxin) result value of nearly 26,000 micrograms per liter (µg / L) and a toxoid-a (neurotoxin) result value of nearly 13 µg / L.

The 9 locations with DANGER levels of cyanotoxin are as follows (see also the yellow CAUTION indicators on the map, below):

– Clearlake Oaks (CLOAKS01, Oaks Arm).
– Shore of the Indian colony Elem (ELEM01, Oaks Arm).
– Shore of the Sulfur Bank mercury mine (SBMMEL01, Oaks Arm).
– Lily Cove (LC01, lower arm).
– Austin Park (AP01, lower arm).
– Redbud Park (RED01, lower arm).
– Shady Acres (SHADY01, Cache Creek).
– Jago Bay (JB, lower arm).
– Lakeport, Library Park (LPTNT, Upper Arm).

Public health urges boaters and other recreational users of the lake to avoid direct contact with waters containing cyanobacteria or their use in Lake County and to follow all posted signs regarding safe activities.

This recommendation is based on recent toxin findings as well as potential health risks from cyanobacteria, which are currently blooming at varying levels throughout the lake.

Cyanobacteria can pose health risks, especially to children and pets. Authorities are urging people to choose safe activities when visiting natural water bodies, especially where flowers are visible.

It is strongly recommended that people and their pets avoid contact and avoid swallowing lake water in areas where algae blooms are present.

Conditions can change quickly. Before recreating at Clear Lake, check the most recent monitoring results.

For current cyanotoxin lab results, please visit the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians Cyanotoxin Monitoring website and water quality of the clear lake Facebook page.

Other resources are available on the following web pages:
http://www.lakecountyca.gov/cyanobacteria/
http://www.lakecountyca.gov/cyanohealth/

California portal on harmful algae blooms:
https://mywaterquality.ca.gov/habs/index.html

The CDC’s advice regarding harmful algal blooms can be found here:
https://www.cdc.gov/habs/materials/factsheet-cyanobacterial-habs.html

Cyanobacteria in Jago Bay near Lower Lake, California. Photo courtesy of Lake County.

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