CA Department of Water Resources urges public to avoid algal bloom in Pyramid Lake

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has issued a notice urging the public to avoid a large algal boom that has developed in Pyramid Lake in Los Angeles County.  The public is being advised to avoid body contact with the lake’s water, its scum and any mist.

Algal blooms can develop and die off fairly rapidly. Sunlight, warm temperatures, nutrients in the water and calm conditions contribute to algal blooms, which are considered to be harmful if they produce toxins. Contact with algal bloom toxins can cause symptoms that can affect people and pets when they contact affected water.

Exposure to high concentrations of these toxins can cause skin rashes, eye, nose, mouth or throat irritation, headache and gastrointestinal upset. Dogs can also become ill if they ingest the water or lick their fur after contacting the affected water.

People can be exposed to the toxins when they accidentally ingest water while swimming or waterskiing. The toxins can also contact the skin during swimming or be inhaled if they become aerosolized (causing a mist that is inhaled), such as during waterskiing or jet skiing.

The following precautions are based on the Voluntary Statewide Guidance for Blue-Green Algae Blooms:

• Avoid water contact, including wading, swimming and water-skiing.
• If you come in contact with the water, rinse off with fresh water as soon as possible.
• Do not allow dogs to drink or go into the water or eat scum on the shoreline.
• Do not drink or cook with lake water. Boiling or filtering the water will not remove the toxins.
• Avoid boating over mats of algae to prevent accidental inhalation or ingestion of spray.
• Eating fish or shellfish caught in the lake is not recommended. If you choose to consume fish, remove the guts and liver and rinse fillets in tap water before eating the fish.
• Always warn young children not to swallow any lake water, whether or not you see signs of algae.
• If you or your pet get sick after going in the water, contact your doctor or veterinarian promptly.

Additional information on harmful algal blooms can be found on the State Water Resources Control Board website at: http://www.mywaterquality.ca.gov/monitoring_council/cyanohab_network/index.htm

Due to the algal bloom at Pyramid Lake, the Department of Water Resources has increased its monitoring of the water quality at the lake for the duration of the summer recreation season.  The DWR will update the public if conditions change at Lake Pyramid.