Recreational advisory issued at Indian Creek Reservoir due to a Harmful Algal Bloom
Submitted by paula on Wed, 08/30/2023 - 3:56pm
• Do not let pets and other animals drink or go into the water, or go near the scum.
• Stay away from scum, and cloudy or discolored water.
• Do not eat fish or shellfish from this water.
• Do not use this water for drinking or cooking. Boiling or filtering will not make the water safe.
The Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board is urging fishermen and recreational users to stay out of the water at Indian Creek Reservoir located in Alpine County. Localized areas of the lake were tested to confirm that the lake is being impacted by Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). The lake is posted with a lakewide recreational advisory of “DANGER” to alert lake users of the elevated risk.
Recreators are encouraged to follow the below guidance until further notice.
Danger
• Do not let pets and other animals drink or go into the water, or go near the scum.
• Stay away from scum, and cloudy or discolored water.
• Do not eat fish or shellfish from this water.
• Do not use this water for drinking or cooking. Boiling or filtering will not make the water safe.
To view suspected and confirmed HABs in the Sierra, visit https://mywaterquality.ca.gov/habs/where/freshwater_events.html.
Note that cyanobacteria, a group of organisms that form harmful algal blooms, can produce potent toxins. Health risks are associated with HABs as they produce dermatoxins that can cause skin inflammation, which can cause itching skin and rashes, as well as gastrointestinal distress, headaches, agitation and weakness, or abnormal breathing if HAB material is swallowed while swimming. Dogs and children are most susceptible to exposure because of their smaller body size, increased potential to swallow water while swimming, and tendency to stay in the water longer. If you suspect exposure, wash your children and dog immediately. Due to the size and toxicity of the bloom with increasing temperatures and decreased precipitation this time of year, the bloom may proliferate and alter its potential to produce toxins.
The bloom occurring in Indian Creek Reservoir appears suspended on the water’s surface. Bloom conditions can change rapidly, as the winds and waves move or concentrate the bloom into different regions of the lake. In some areas, the bloom may concentrate and form a film or scum on the water surface. The color of the water may also appear discolored as bright
or dark green and brown.
Recent blooms have been observed but not confirmed at Regan Beach, and earlier this summer there were observations at Kiva Beach and Conolley Beach but there are no current warnings.
In the Tahoe Keys, three lagoons are in the caution stage: Slalom Court, Traverse Ct., and Venice/Marconi. Advisory recommendations in these areas: Stay away from algae and scum in the water. Do NOT let pets go in the water, drink the water, or eat scum on the shore. Keep children away from algae. Do not eat shellfish from this waterbody.
The Keys' report details: Advisory based on the presence of harmful algal bloom and water testing that detected cyanotoxins.