Friday, July 13, 2012
UPDATE!!! TESTS SHOW NO TOXINS IN CULLABY LAKE; CAUTION URGED TO VISITORS
Tests of water from Cullaby Lake show no evidence of harmful toxins related to recently observed algae blooms on the lake surface.
Visitors to the lake may recreate in the water, but are still urged to stay away from any areas where blue-green algae blooms are visible. Both Cullaby Lake Park and Carnahan Park, located on the lake’s north shore, are open to the public.
The county issued a notice earlier this week after blue-green algae blooms were observed on the lake surface. Water samples were collected to test for the presence of potentially harmful toxins that can be given off by certain species of the algae. Those toxins are particularly harmful to children and pets if ingested; symptoms can include nausea, cramps, dizziness, numbness and breathing and heart problems.
Because no toxins were detected, the Oregon Public Health Division will not issue a no-contact advisory for Cullaby Lake. Nevertheless, Clatsop County officials will continue to monitor the lake daily for blue-green algae, and will take water samples every other week to test for toxins.
For more information, contact the Oregon Public Health toll-free information line at 1-877-290-6767, Clatsop County Public Health Department at (503) 325-8500 or the Harmful Algae Bloom Surveillance Program online at www.healthoregon.org/hab
Released by: Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 338-3622
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
July 11. 2012
Clatsop County officials are asking the public to use caution while recreating at Cullaby Lake while they monitor a potentially harmful algae bloom at the popular recreation site.
Water samples from the lake have been collected and sent for testing for evidence of harmful toxins associated with blue-green algae, which was recently observed on the lake. Test results are expected by early next week – in the meantime, the county recommends that the public avoid contact with the water when algae is visibly present, especially activities that could result in swallowing or inhaling water.
Depending on the results from the water tests at Cullaby Lake, the Oregon Public Health Division will determine whether an official health advisory is issued. Under new state options for monitoring harmful algae blooms, the County Parks Department will conduct daily monitoring of the lake surface and continue sampling for toxins while a bloom is present.
Both Cullaby Lake Park as well as Carnahan Park, located on the lake’s north shore, remain open.
Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, are naturally occurring organisms; certain species can release nerve and liver toxins into the water that are particularly harmful to children and pets if ingested. Symptoms can include nausea, cramps, dizziness, numbness and breathing and heart problems. Most all blue-green algae can cause skin irritation on contact even if they are free of toxins.
Cyanobacteria algae blooms occur in many fresh-water bodies, but it is not possible to determine if a bloom is potentially toxic simply by looking at it. If you see bluish-green, green, white or brown scum on the surface of any body of fresh water, keep children, pets and yourself out of the water. Even if the algae appear to be isolated in a single area be aware that winds and currents can move algae across the surface in minutes.
For more information, contact the Oregon Public Health toll-free information line at 1-877-290-6767, Clatsop County Public Health Department at (503) 325-8500 or the Harmful Algae Bloom Surveillance Program online at www.healthoregon.org/hab
Released by: Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 338-3622
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