The State Water Resources Control Board is cautioning boaters and other recreational water users after detecting toxic algal mats growing at the bottom of the Russian River.
Toxic algal mats are dangerous algae growths that detach from the riverbed and float at the water’s surface or get stuck on the banks. The State Water Board and Sonoma County Department of Health Services previously announced in late July that they had detected blue-green algae toxins in the Russian River. The algae can be fatal to dogs and harmful to humans, especially children.
Residents are cautioned to avoid drinking or cooking with the water and to avoid touching any algal mats. Also, dogs and other animals should stay out of the water. Photos of toxic algal mats are available at https://mywaterquality.ca.gov/habs/resources/docs/toxic_algal_mat_signs_20200403.pdf and the State Water Board has posted warning signs at recreational areas along the river.
Toxic algal mats may also infect wildlife living in the water, so the State Water Board has advised residents to throw away all fish guts, clean fillets with tap or bottled water and to avoid shellfish altogether.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warn that blue-green algae can cause a variety of symptoms, depending on the type of exposure. Individuals who ingest the algae or contaminated water may experience sore throat, headache, muscle weakness or even pneumonia, while coming into skin contact with the dangerous bacteria can cause swelling or blisters.
According to the American Kennel Club, dogs exposed to blue-green algae may suffer from seizures, difficulty breathing, diarrhea and vomiting.
Residents who think they or an animal may have been exposed should seek immediate medical treatment and contact the Public Health Division of the Sonoma County Department of Health Services.
Algal blooms can be reported by emailing cyanohab.reports@waterboards.ca.gov, calling the Harmful Algal Blooms hotline at 1-844-729-6466, calling Sonoma County Environmental Health at (707) 565-6565 or filling out a Bloom Report at https://mywaterquality.ca.gov/habs/do/bloomreport.html.
I guess a float-trip down the river is out for now.
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Let’s see… how will the environazis blame this phenomenon on climate change/global warming or systemic racism… WAIT FOR IT.
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So true! So very true!
Lake Oroville is also in a dire situation: officials are struggling to keep at least a little water in the reservoir while releasing just enough into the Feather River to maintain a healthy temperature.
Yesterday, the Hyatt power plant at Lake Oroville went off-line for the first time in its history due to this drought. (A little under 1% of PG&E’s power came from Lake Oroville–which is significant).
Lake Oroville appears to be down to a couple of puddles at the bottom of what was the lake.
Can’t wait for Pliny the Algae
It would go nicely with Stumptown Brewing’s Blimey the Wanker…
How long were you holding on to that gem before you could use it? lol
Been at the Russian river for 5 days now, family have been up here for 110 years +. Always algae in areas with low warm water. Clearly not going to drink the crap in it, but I guess it is best to put up advise for those ding dong’s who would take a tiktok challenge and would eat it.
Ohhh yet they seem to thrive off of people saying “no no don’t do it”! Even the pot heads up here are smarter then that!
To them who wish to push the limits I say “go for it”!🙄 make a green smoothy😉