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Potential recreational hazard at Mercer Lake
October 30, 2002
Lakefront property owners, visitors and other interested parties are being advised of a potentially hazardous algae bloom in Mercer Lake, located on the Oregon coast about five miles north of Florence, according to public health officials at the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Lane County Health Department.
There is a significant blue-green algae bloom in progress on Mercer Lake, and the predominant species are Microcystis and Anabaena species. Toxin tests are underway but will not be immediately available; meanwhile the cell densities are high enough to warrant a public health alert, according to health officials. Microcystis organisms may produce a potent liver toxin, and Anabaena species frequently produce a neurotoxin, both of which can be harmful to humans and animals.
Until further notice from DHS, skin contact with water should be avoided in any areas on Mercer Lake where the water is blue-green in color or where there are visible algae colonies or floating algal mats on the water. Limited skin contact is probably safe in areas where the water is clear and free of visible algae. Ingestion of water from the lake should be entirely avoided by humans, and animal owners are advised to keep pets and animals from drinking lake water.
Additional monitoring and testing is being done, and the advisory may be modified as additional information becomes available. This is a late season bloom and it is not expected to continue for more than a few weeks. When all danger is passed, DHS will remove the advisory.
A similar advisory has been in effect at Tenmile Lakes, 10 miles north of Coos Bay, this summer and for several summers in the recent past. That advisory remains in effect.
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