News Release
| Release Number: | 06-095 |
| Dated: | 7/7/2006 |
| Contact: | Jennifer A. Sowell, 503-808-4510 |
PORTLAND, Ore. – The algae bloom in Lost Creek Lake is no longer visible from the water’s surface, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today.
The Jackson County Health Department will lift the health advisory for Lost Creek Lake on July 19 as long as no new algae blooms are observed before that time.
Algae blooms collapse due to changing conditions, such as reduced nutrients in the water or changes in the weather, that are not conducive to the growth of the bloom, according to Kenneth Kauffman, an environmental health specialist with the Department of Human Services.
“The visible collapse of the algae bloom is a good sign that the toxins will soon degrade, however, toxin levels are often at their highest when the bloom first disintegrates, even though the water may look clear and inviting,” Kaufmann said.
“The recommendation is to wait two weeks from the first time the algae bloom is not noticeable to allow toxins in the water to disintegrate,” Kauffman said. “When the bloom collapses toxins are released from the cells of the disintegrating algae, increasing the amount of toxin in the water.”
Corps of Engineers park rangers will observe the lake over the next two weeks to make sure that no new blooms emerge and to allow the toxin time to chemically degrade, which occurs naturally over time.
The lake and surrounding recreation areas remain open to the public. Visitors are still advised to avoid contact with the water until the health advisory is lifted since toxins can be absorbed if affected water is swallowed, through prolonged contact with the skin, or when inhaled as droplets or spray in the air.
Blue-green algae are plants that occur naturally in lakes due to warm water collecting in calm, nutrient-enriched areas, such as coves. Algal blooms are rapid buildups of algae that are often found near the shore due to wind and waves, and are visible as masses of green, yellow or bluish-green slime. Lost Creek Lake typically has mild algal blooms in the early to mid-summer months.
For more information, visit the Oregon Department of Human Services website at http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/, or contact them at (917) 673-0429. For local conditions call the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Rogue River Basin Office at (541) 878-2255.