Blue-green Algae Advisories
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Current advisories
When are advisories issued?
Why are advisories issued?
How long do advisories last?
All advisories
Additional resources
Current Advisories
Lost Creek Reservior Advisory Issued September 16, 2008
Wickup Reservior Advisory Issued September 11, 2008
Willow Creek Reservior Advisory Issued September 10, 2008
Lemolo Lake Advisory LIFTED August August 27, 2008
Dorena Reservoir Advisory Issued August 22, 2008
Odell Lake Advisory LIFTED August 22, 2008
Willow Creek Reservoir Advisory LIFTED August 20, 2008
Devil's Lake Advisory Issued August 14, 2008
Odell Lake Advisory Issued August 7, 2008
When are advisories issued?
The Department of Human Services Public Health office of Environmental Toxicology evaluates bluegreen algae test data to determine whether algal blooms present hazards to animals or human beings. DHS does not have resources to collect or test algae samples, but DHS often receives reports of testing done by private contractors, researchers or other government agencies.
Why are advisories issued?
Algal blooms are common in surface waters throughout Oregon, and generally blooms contain many species of algae. Most algaes are harmless, but there are several species of bluegreen algae (also known as cyanobacteria) that may produce toxins that are potentially harmful. In Oregon the primary algaes of concern are Microcystis and Anabaena. Others may be identified in the future.
Advisories are issued by DHS when cell counts exceed certain limits or when potentially harmful toxin levels are found. Toxins in water may be absorbed by humans when swallowed, and when inhaled as droplets or spray in the air. Pets and domestic animals are at risk as well as human beings.
Advisories may include warnings against ingesting water, swimming or bathing, or inhaling water droplets. Advisories may also include information about treating water to reduce or eliminate toxins.
How long do advisories last?
Dangerous algal blooms may develop and disappear within a matter of days, or they may continue for weeks or months. The longest advisory period for any waterbody in Oregon to date began in early June and lasted into late November. The intensity of the bloom and the concentrations of toxin in a waterbody are not uniform. Often the algaes are most dense around the edges of the waterbody, but wind or water currents may change the location of affected areas very quickly.
Usually a dangerous bloom is associated with a distinct bluegreen color and cloudiness in the water. Algal blooms often produce large floating masses of green, yellow or bluish green slime. Visibly affected water should be avoided whether or not there is an official advisory in place.
Additional Resources
All Advisories
Blue Lake
E. Multnomah County |
September 2003 |
Bloom documented: no advisory. |
Cougar Reservoir
McKenzie Bridge, Lane County |
September 2002 |
USFS Notification: No advisory provided. |
Crane Prairie Reservoir
SW of Bend, Deschutes County |
July 22, 2005 |
Public health advisory LIFTED for Crane Prairie Reservoir. |
June 24, 2005 |
Public health advisory issued for Crane Prairie Reservoir. |
September 2004 |
Algae advisory LIFTED for Crane Prairie Reservoir. |
July 2004 |
USFS Report: High levels of Anabaena flos-aquae: Found by Deschutes National Forest. |
July-Aug 2003 |
High levels of Anabaena flos-aquae: Found by private consulting firm. No advisory, late report. |
Detroit Lake Reservoir
60 miles from Salem
|
June 13, 2007 |
Blue-green algae advisory LIFTED for Detroit Lake Reservoir. |
May 30, 2007 |
A health advisory prompted by high algae levels found in several locations on Detroit Lake. Attention: Free Fishing Event CANCELLED.
Technical contact Rick Sherman, Supervising Sanitarian, Marion County Env Health 503-588-5621
|
Devil's Lake
Lincoln City |
August 14, 2008 |
Public health advisory issued for Devil's Lake. |
September 18, 2007 |
The Cyanobacteria Bloom in Devils Lake has subsided, and it has been two weeks since visible scum has been washing ashore at any of the 6 monitoring sites. The public should use its best judgment when using Devils Lake or any surface water for recreation as cyanobacteria can repopulate quickly, but with cooler temperatures, clearer water and low densities lake wide, that has become increasing less likely. Based on these observations and facts lifting of the CAUTION posted by the Devils Lake Water Improvement District is warranted |
August 13, 2007 (pdf) |
Visible bluegreen algae bloom: No cell counts or toxin assays reported. |
July 1995 |
Visible bluegreen algae bloom: No cell counts or toxin assays reported. |
Dexter Reservoir
Lane County |
August 2002 |
USFS Report: Elevated levels of Anabaena in water source, City of Lowell, reported too late for advisory. |
Diamond Lake
North of Crater Lake National Park, Douglas County |
November 16, 2006 |
Public health advisory LIFTED for Diamond Lake. |
October 5, 2006 |
Public health advisory issued for Diamond Lake. |
July 16, 2004 |
Elevated levels of Anabaena flos-aquae detected. No Health Advisory issued. |
August 12, 2003 |
USFS Report: Diamond Lake reopens to swimming, wading and waterskiing. |
July 3, 2003 |
USFS Report: Diamond Lake Open to Boating and Fishing but Closed to Water-skiing, Swimming and Wading. |
June 30, 2003 |
USFS Report: Water Quality Concerns Prohibit Water Contact at Diamond Lake. |
July 22, 2002 |
USFS Report: Water Quality Concerns Prohibit Water Contact at Diamond Lake. |
August 10, 2001 |
USFS Report: Algae bloom in Diamond Lake. |
Dorena Reservoir
Lane County |
August 22, 2008 (pdf) |
Health advisory issued for high algae levels |
Eel Lake
Coos County |
September 27, 2002 |
One report of high Microcystis cell count.: No advisory issued, late report. |
Fish Lake
Jackson County |
Sept 30, 2002 |
One report of excessive Anabaena: No advisory issued, single sample, late report. |
Hills Creek Reservoir
40 miles SE of Eugene, Lane County |
July 16, 2008 (pdf) |
Public health advisory LIFTED for Hills Creek Reservoir. |
May 15, 2008 (pdf) |
Public health advisory issued for Hills Creek Reservoir. |
June 6, 2007 (pdf) |
Public health advisory LIFTED for Hills Creek Reservoir. |
May 11, 2007 |
Public health advisory issued for Hills Creek Reservoir. |
June 22, 2006 |
Public health advisory LIFTED for Hills Creek Reservoir. |
June 2, 2006 |
Public health advisory issued for Hills Creek Reservoir. |
September 26, 2005 |
Public health advisory LIFTED for Larison Cove, Packard arm, and eastern-most arm. |
August 19, 2005 |
Public health advisory issued for eastern-most arm. |
July 21, 2005 |
Public health advisory issued for Packard arm. |
June 24, 2005 |
Public health advisory issued for Larison Cove (Canoe Area). |
August 15, 2002 |
USFS Report: Larison Cove closed for water contact activities. A general advisory for Upper Packard Arm remains in effect. |
June 14, 2002 |
USFS Report: Water-contact recreation restrictions lifted around reservoir; Public still advised to use caution. |
June 6, 2002 |
USFS Report: Toxic algal blooms found in packard creek arm of hills creek reservoir. |
Hyatt Lake
Jackson County |
September 19, 2006 |
Public Health Advisory LIFTED for Hyatt Lake. |
September 12, 2006 |
Public Health Advisory issued for Hyatt Lake. |
Lake Oswego
Clackamas County |
1998, 2001 |
Significant algal blooms documented in 1998 and 2001. No advisories issued |
Lake Selmac
Josephine County |
December 21, 2004 |
Advisory LIFTED at Lake Selmac. |
September 3, 2004 |
New restrictions on public water uses at Lake Selmac. |
August 19, 2004 |
Public advisory: Algae toxins at Lake Selmac. |
Laurelhurst Park Pond
Portland, Mulnomah County
|
January 1, 2007 |
Health advisory signs posted by the City of Portland Parks and Recreation. |
May 5, 2006 |
Microcystis bloom detected. Health advisory signs posted by City of Portland Parks and Recreation. |
Lava Lake
SW of Bend, Deschutes County |
July 16, 2004 |
Health Advisory LIFTED. |
June, 2004 |
High levels of Anabaena flos-aquae: Found by Deschutes National Forest. Health Advisory issued. |
Lemolo Lake
Douglas County
|
August 27, 2008 (pdf) |
Public health advisory LIFTED for Lemolo Lake. |
July 10, 2008 (pdf) |
Public health advisory issued for Lemolo Lake. |
August 20, 2007 (pdf) |
Public health advisory LIFTED for Lemolo Lake. |
June 26, 2007 (pdf) |
Public health advisory issued for Lemolo Lake. |
October 13, 2006 |
Public health advisory LIFTED for Lemolo Lake. |
September 26, 2006 |
Public health advisory issued for Lemolo Lake. |
August 2, 2006 |
Public health advisory LIFTED for Lemolo Lake. |
July 12, 2006 |
Public health advisory issued for Lemolo Lake. |
Lookout Reservoir
Lane County |
September 26, 2005 |
Public health advisory LIFTED for Goodman Creek Arm at Lookout Point Reservoir. |
September 14, 2005 |
Public health advisory LIFTED for Hampton public boat ramp and campground at Lookout Reservoir. |
August 22, 2005 |
Public health advisory issued for Hampton public boat ramp and campground at Lookout Reservoir. |
July 13, 2005 |
Public health advisory issued for Goodman Creek at Lookout Reservoir. |
Lost Creek Lake
25 miles northeast of Medford
|
September 16, 2008 |
Public health advisory issued for Lost Creek Reservior |
July 10, 2007 |
A public health advisory was LIFTED by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers today for Lost Creek Lake. |
June 12, 2007 |
A public health advisory was issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers today for Lost Creek Lake. |
July 19, 2006 |
Public health advisory LIFTED for Lost Creek Lake. |
June 24, 2006 |
Public health advisory issued for Lost Creek Lake. |
Mercer Lake
Five miles north of Florence |
March 6, 2003 |
Mercer Lake health advisory LIFTED. |
October 30, 2002 |
Potential recreational hazard at Mercer Lake. |
Odell Lake
Klamath County
|
August 22, 2008 (pdf) |
Public health advisory LIFTED for Odell Lake. |
August 7, 2008 (pdf) |
Public health advisory issued for Odell Lake. |
August 13, 2007 (pdf) |
Public health advisory LIFTED for Odell Lake. |
July 25, 2007 (pdf) |
Public health advisory issued for Odell Lake. |
August 4, 2005 |
Public health advisory LIFTED for Eastern Half of Odell Lake. |
July 19, 2005 |
Public health advisory issued for Eastern Half of Odell Lake. |
August 16, 2004 |
Health advisory LIFTED at Odell Lake. |
July 29, 2004 |
High levels of Anabaena flos-aquae (especially in East Odell Lake): Found by Deschutes National Forest. |
Paulina Lake
Deschutes County |
September 1, 2006 |
Health advisory LIFTED for Paulina Lake. |
August 21, 2006 |
Health advisory issued for Paulina Lake due to the presence of elevated Anabaena flos aquae. |
September 17, 2004 |
Health advisory LIFTED at Paulina Lake |
September 3, 2004 |
Severe blue-green algae bloom at Paulina Lake in Newberry Crater south of Bend. |
July 2003 |
High counts of Microcystis and Anabaena: No advisory, late report. |
Ross Island Lagoon
Willamette River in Portland |
September 8, 2003 |
Algae bloom in Ross Island lagoon is not harmful to health. |
Siltcoos Lake
National Dunes Recreation Area |
November 9, 2007 (pdf) |
Public health advisory LIFTED for Siltcoos Lake |
September 18, 2007 (pdf) |
Public health advisory issued for Siltcoos Lake |
Suttle Lake
Jefferson County |
July 16, 2004 |
Health advisory LIFTED. |
June 2004 |
High levels of Anabaena flos-aquae: Found by Deschutes National Forest. Health Advisory issued. |
Tenmile Lakes
10 miles north of Coos Bay |
March 11, 2004 |
Algae Toxin Advisory LIFTED for Ten Mile Lake. |
July 6, 2002 |
Potential recreational and drinking water hazard in Tenmile Lakes. |
August 31, 2001 |
Potential hazard due to Microcystis aeruginosa in Tenmile Lakes. |
December 1, 1997 |
Ten Mile Lake Health Advisory LIFTED. |
October 3, 1997 |
Ten Mile Lake Health Advisory. |
Tualatin River
Eastern Washington County and Western Clackamas County |
July 25, 2008 (pdf) |
Public health advisory LIFTED for the Tualatin River. |
July 12, 2008 (pdf) |
Public health advisory issued for the Tualatin River. |
Wickiup Reservoir
Deschutes County |
September 11, 2008 (pdf) |
Public Health advisory Issued for Wickiup Reservoir. |
September 24, 2004 |
Public health advisory LIFTED for Wickiup Reservoir. |
September 10, 2004 |
Public health advisory issued for Wickiup Reservoir. |
|
Willow Creek Reservoir
Morrow County |
September 10, 2008 (pdf) |
Public Health Advisory Issued for Willow Creek Reservior |
|
August 20, 2008 (pdf) |
Public health advisory LIFTED for Willow Creek Reservoir. |
|
July 2, 2008 (pdf) |
Public health advisory Issue for Willow Creek Reservoir. |
October 31, 2007 |
Public health advisory LIFTED for Willow Creek Reservoir. |
August 17, 2007 |
Public health advisory issued for Willow Creek Reservoir. |
August 3, 2007 |
Public health advisory LIFTED for Willow Creek Reservoir. |
June 22, 2007 |
Public health advisory issued for Willow Creek Reservoir. |
October 31, 2006 |
Public health advisory LIFTED for Willow Creek Reservoir. |
September 13, 2006 |
Public health advisory issued for Willow Creek Reservoir. |
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