Klamath's toxic algae levels return to safer level

October 16, 2007

By Michelle Ma

Triplicate staff writer

KLAMATH — A health advisory along the Del Norte County portion of the Klamath River was lifted today because toxic blue-green algae levels have decreased to a safer level.

In late September, toxic algae levels swelled from the mouth of the Klamath up through nearly 200 miles of the river. Levels were twice as high as the state's threshold for posting no-contact signs.

Results from the Yurok Tribe's Oct. 2 water monitoring tests showed that toxic algae levels had lowered significantly from September.

"The samples looked a lot less green," said Ken Fetcho, assistant director of the Yurok Tribe Environmental Program. "We knew conditions were improving."

The Tribe removed health advisory signs along the Klamath within reservation boundaries. This includes Del Norte County, stretching from the mouth to 44 river miles in, Fetcho said.

Representatives from other organizations responsible for posting warning signs upstream were not available for comment Monday.

The levels of blue-green algae are expected to keep dropping, said Fetcho, who oversees water monitoring tests.

Shorter days of sunlight, colder temperatures and more rain in the coming weeks will continue to push away algae blooms, he said.

The tribe regularly tests water on the Klamath every two weeks from May to October.

The Sept. 18 testing within Del Norte County showed high levels of Microcystis aeruginosa, the blue-green algae that produces the toxin microcystin.

This toxin is most harmful to children and pets, although about a dozen Yurok Tribal members reported skin rashes around the time of the most concentrated algae levels.

Ray Mattz, a commercial fisherman, said he got a rash on his forearm after fishing in the mouth of the Klamath at the end of the summer. He reported it and attributes it to the toxic algae blooms.

The toxic blue-green algae is thought to originate upstream from PacifiCorp's Iron Gate and Copco reservoirs. Stagnant water and warmer temperatures in the reservoirs were prime conditions for blue-green algae growth, Fetcho said.

PacifiCorp has conducted water sampling from all over the Klamath River basin , said Jan Mitchell, spokeswoman. No solid results are in, but she has heard the color has changed back from the green shade indicative of high concentrations of the algae, she said.

The Yurok Tribe has been monitoring toxic blue-green algae for the past three seasons, but this fall's levels were higher and lingered for longer than before, Fetcho said.

Reach Michelle Ma at mma@triplicate.com.

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