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Health Advisory Posted For Crane Prairie Reservoir
BEND, OREGON, July 1, 2004
Deschutes County Health Department and Forest Service officials
issued an advisory Thursday that recommended people avoid contact
with Crane Prairie Reservoir water, after tests showed high levels
of blue-green algae that have the potential to release toxins.
It is safe to go boating and eat fish caught from the lake, according
to Forest Service scientists.
The county and federal officials issued the warning because Crane
Prairie Reservoir blue-green algae levels exceed World Health Organization
guidelines. The WHO guidelines and subsequent alert levels are based
upon the number of algae cells per milliliter of water.
On June 15, Forest Service scientists began taking water samples
from 13 Deschutes National Forest lakes as a precaution to determine
population densities of the algae, called Anabaena flos-aquae. Some
samples were also tested for anatoxin-a and microsystin, two toxins
harmful to people and animals.
Blue-green algae are native to Cascade lakes. Harmful and benign
strains can exist in the same lake. But, toxic strains are more
likely during warm summer months.
Forest Service and Deschutes County Health Department officials
issued an earlier health advisory on June 19 that recommended people
avoid contact with Lava Lake water. People can still safely eat
fish from the lake and boat on it.
Lava Lake water samples taken on June 28 continued to show high
blue-green algae levels and the health advisory remains in place.
Forest Service scientists will routinely test the 13 Deschutes
National Forest lakes this summer. They will inform the public if
blue-green algae exceed WHO guidelines on the lakes or develop toxic
strains.
Currently, water samples indicate no other Deschutes National Forest
lakes have high levels of the single-cell organism.
Blue-green algae often float to the surface and can be several inches
thick near shorelines. They can appear like a bright-green, reddish-green
or white paint floating on the water and contact should be avoided.
To view blue-green algae photographs and for additional information
log onto: www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/water-fish/water/bluegreen/index.shtml.
Media Contacts:
- Marc Wilcox, Deschutes N.F. hydrologist, 541/383-5537
- Roland Giller, Office of Communications, 541/383-5653
- Kenneth Kauffman, Ore. Dept. of Human Services, 503/731-4012
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