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| October 12, 2011, 3:19 pm |
HOW DANGEROUS IS BLUE-GREEN ALGAE TO LOCAL LAKES? Perhaps the biggest red herring for Oregon reservoirs and lakes is the issue of blue-green algae.The blooms of cyanobacteria — commonly known as blue-gren algae — have been a pox on local waterways for a number of years.They create unsightly, pea-green patches of soup in places where people fish, water ski and swim. One of the worst hit places recently has been Lost Creek Reservoir, though Diamond Lake and just about every other Cascade Mountain lake has dealt with the issue at some point.The main problem is that nobody, from scientists to government officials, have been able to conclusively say whether the blooms are truly toxic — whether they’re a serious health risk or an ugly nuisance.In putting together a fishing report each weekend, I often get press releases from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife that recommend fishing options at places like Lost Creek ... but then throw in a few sentences like this:”A blue green algae health advisory is in effect for Lost Creek Reservoir. This does not close the fishery, but the Department of Human Services advisory states that precautions should be taken to avoid water contact for people and pets. People who choose to eat fish from waters where algae blooms are present should remove all fat, skin and organs before cooking, since toxins are more likely to collect in these tissues.”Hmmm ...Hopefully the vagueness will begin to change soon. According to a story in the Medford Mail Tribune, “an Oregon State University professor is studying algae strains at a series of Oregon waterways to determine whether these individual strains can produce toxins capable of sickening and killing people or whether they are nothing more than gross, smelly scums producing no greater public-health danger than swimmer's itch.”While a common-sense look at the algae would suggest people should probably stay away from it, hard evidence is lacking.Only two dead dogs that drank algae-laced water from pools in the Umpqua River drainage have been directly linked to the algae. A few suspected gastrointestinal illnesses have been reported after people swam in waters posted with advisories, but none were considered severe.So what, exactly, is the deal?Hopefully that question will be answered sooner rather than later.o o oPast blogsTHE ULTIMATE SOUTHERN OREGON VACATIONHIKE OF THE DAY: FISH LAKE TRAILSTEELHEAD BITE SHOULD HIT APEX SOON ON ROGUEBIOLOGISTS CHECK ROGUE SALMON EGGS FOR SUFFOCATION |
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