Toxic algae bloom at Pyramid Lake

[Bass Pro Shopper]

From the San Gabriel Valley Tribune dated 7/13/16:

Don’t go swimming at Pyramid Lake due to toxic algae bloom, water officials say

State water officials are urging people to avoid any contact with the water at Pyramid Lake because of a toxic algae bloom that has developed on the Los Angeles County reservoir.

In a statement issued Wednesday, the California Department of Water Resources advised the public to not wade, swim or water-ski at the lake and to keep dogs and children away from the water. Caution signs have also been posted at the lake, according to Ted Thomas, a spokesman for the department.

“Activities near the water such as picnicking and hiking are safe,” the statement read. “Because these blooms can form and die off fairly rapidly, DWR has increased its monitoring of the water quality in Pyramid Lake throughout the summer recreation season and will update this advisory if conditions change.”

The algae bloom is made up of a type of bacteria growing in lakes and rivers all over the world. Cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae, produces potent toxins that sicken people and animals.

This is the second time the state has issued a warning about the bacteria and its toxins at Pyramid, one of more than 30 drinking water storage facilities, reservoirs and lakes that make up the California State Water Project.

The toxins can cause a wide range of adverse health effects, including skin rashes, diarrhea and headaches.

“People can be exposed to the toxins when they accidently ingest water while swimming or waterskiing,” the statement read. “The toxins can also contact the skin during swimming or be inhaled if they become aerosolized, such as during waterskiing or jet skiing.”

A water sample collected on June 7 revealed the presence of microcystin, the most common cyanotoxin, at the lake, though it was not until June 28 when the concentration of microcystin exceeded the level at which the California Cyanobacteria Harmful Algal Bloom Network recommends a caution sign be posted.

“Algal blooms are known to rapidly appear and disappear. Before we issued the advisory, we collected additional samples to determine the extent of the bloom and whether it was increasing or declining,” Thomas said in an email. “The follow-up samples indicated the bloom was stable at the outlet station and present at higher concentrations near Vaquero Day Use Area.”

The state is treating the lake with an algaecide this week. The treatment was planned before the algae bloom developed to treat aquatic weeds in the lake, but it should also have an effect on the bloom, Thomas said in the email.

http://www.sgvtribune.com/environment-a ... icials-say

[Brian D.]

thanks for the heads up. the lake lice are not gonna be happy.

[mark poulson]

Will it be a threat to Castaic, or are the lake conditions different down there?

[green weenie]

But how's the fishing? Bbt had great results on sat!

[Bass Pro Shopper]

Will it be a threat to Castaic, or are the lake conditions different down there?

I was on Castaic yesterday, and the water is dirty. Quite a difference from a week ago when I was also there. Maybe it's pre-algae bloom conditions? The water didn't look as green as it did brown though. I'm hoping that it's just more loose dirt/soot from the shore as the water level continues it's rapid rise. But you never know...could be some of that Pyramid algae seeping in and starting up at Castaic too.

[mark poulson]

Will it be a threat to Castaic, or are the lake conditions different down there?

I was on Castaic yesterday, and the water is dirty. Quite a difference from a week ago when I was also there. Maybe it's pre-algae bloom conditions? The water didn't look as green as it did brown though. I'm hoping that it's just more loose dirt/soot from the shore as the water level continues it's rapid rise. But you never know...could be some of that Pyramid algae seeping in and starting up at Castaic too.

Man, for your sake, I hope not.

[MikeR]

The same algae was present last year at this time. It would really start to bloom in the heat of the afternoon with the wind blowing it into banks creating floating mats of the stuff. I"m not there to swim and those bass fishies don't care. They're lurking under that algae slop!

Mike