Blue-green algae levels lower in some areas, officials say

The Times-Standard

October 22, 2007

Blue-green algae levels are now safe in some areas, but others remain above warning levels, officials said this week.

Warnings were originally issued on July 3 due to the high levels of toxic algae in Copco and Iron Gate reservoirs, and on Oct. 1 for the Klamath River mainstem below Iron Gate dam.

Water sampling by the Klamath Blue-Green Algae Work Group shows that levels of the algae that produce toxins have dropped in the mainstem Klamath River downstream from Iron Gate dam and are no longer potentially harmful to humans and animals.

Toxic algae concentrations still remain above warning levels in both the Copco and Iron Gate reservoirs and the health alert for these locations will remain in effect until at least two weeks have passed since sampling showing toxic algae populations and/or toxin concentrations fall below warning levels.

While the health alert has been lifted in some areas, the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, State Water Resources Control Board, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services, and the Yurok and Karuk Tribes advise people who use the river to look for signs of algal blooms.

People and their pets should avoid water contact if there are visible scums of algae in the water.

BOX: For more information, visit:

California Department of Public Health:

http://www.cdph.ca.gov/healthinfo/environhealth/water/Pages/Bluegreenalgae.aspx

State Water Resources Control Board

HYPERLINK "http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/bluegreenalgae/index.html" http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/bluegreenalgae/index.html

National Center for Disease Control:

HYPERLINK "http://www.cdc.gov/hab/cyanobacteria/facts.htm" http://www.cdc.gov/hab/cyanobacteria/facts.htm

County of Humboldt , Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Branch

http://co.humboldt.ca.us/health/envhealth/

(707) 445-6215

Yurok Tribe Real Time Water Quality and BGA Data

http://exchange.yuroktribe.nsn.us/lrgsclient/stations/stations.html