News release: Blue-green Algae Bloom near Rock Creek

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For Immediate Release Thursday April 16, 2014

nevada-countyBy: COUNTY OF NEVADA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT

U.S. Forest Service has identified a suspected blue-green algae bloom near the trailhead of Rock Creek. Testing is currently underway, until results are verified; we recommend that people, especially children and pets, avoid direct contact with the water in Rock Creek. (Click for PDF)

Blue Green Algae FAQ

The blue green algae (BGA), is a type of bacteria called cyanobacteria; are an ancient family of photosynthetic organisms. The fossil record shows that BGA has existed for around 3.5 billion years. It is thought to be one of the first organisms able to carry out photosynthesis.

BGA periodically “blooms,” that is, creates floating mats, forming what is commonly known as “pond scum.” These blooms can be blue-green, olive green, grey-green, yellow–brown or purple to red. The bright lime green algal mats commonly seen in our fresh water bodies are green algae, not BGA.

Blooms are most likely to form during these conditions:

  • the wind is quiet or mild
  • the water is warm but not hot (60 to 86 degrees F, 18 – 25 ºC))
  • the water harbors an abundance of the nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus (i.e., from agricultural or urban runoff (fertilizers) or failing sewage disposal systems).

The occurrence of BGA toxins in the freshwater environment is unpredictable. Blooms may persist for up to seven days but the resulting toxins may last for as long as three weeks. BGA move up and down within the water column and thus may not always float to the surface. Currents and surface winds can push them toward the land, causing poison-filled cells to accumulate in a thick layer near the leeward shore. Low flow river conditions in the summer and fall may result in large build-ups of BGA. When algae cells die or are damaged, toxins may be released at levels harmful to pets and livestock if they drink The algal blooms look like green, blue-green, white or brown foam, scum or mats floating on the water. Recreational exposure to toxic blue-green algae can cause eye irritation, allergic skin rash, mouth ulcer, vomiting, diarrhea, and cold and flu-like symptoms.

Predicting where and when toxic blooms will form is difficult if not impossible. The best alternative is to prevent exposure to the BGA blooms and toxins, especially by children or dogs. Green or blue-green scum of algae blooms in the water or against shorelines is an indication that toxic conditions may exist. People who recreate in areas with a water body should follow these guidelines:

  • Avoid wading or swimming in water where algae blooms are visible and avoid dense mats of algae. Closely supervise young children, as they are more at risk due to their small body size.
  • Do not drink, eat or handle the algae and avoid ingesting the river water.
  • Do not allow pets to swim in or drink river water that is heavily infested with algae.
  • Swimmers should shower and pets be rinsed with tap water immediately after bathing.
  • Use water-resistant gloves to remove unwanted algae from shorelines.
  • Ranchers should not allow livestock to drink water from contaminated rivers or streams

Resources for Additional Information

California Department of Public Health:
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/healthinfo/environhealth/water/Pages/Bluegreenalgae.aspx

State Water Resources Control Board:
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/bluegreen_algae/

United States Geological Survey:
https://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2008/5038/

National Center for Disease Control:
https://www.cdc.gov/hab/cyanobacteria/facts.htm

World Health Organization Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality, 3rd Edition:
https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/gdwq3/en/index.html

World Health Organization Guidelines for Safe Recreational Waters, V. 1 – Coastal and Fresh Waters:
https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/bathing/srwe1-chap8.pdf

World Health Organization’s “Toxic cyanobacteria in water: A guide to their public health consequences, monitoring and management”:
https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/resourcesquality/toxicyanbact/en/index.html

Cyanobacteria Image Galleries:
https://www-cyanosite.bio.purdue.edu/images/images.html
https://botit.botany.wisc.edu/images/130/Bacteria/Cyanobacteria/

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