PYRAMID LAKE, CA (Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017 at 8:30 a.m.) — “The California Department of Water Resources issued this update on Friday afternoon:

Pyramid Lake’s Vaquero Beach Open for Swimming;
Algal Bloom ‘Caution’ Advisory in Effect for Entire Lake

Sacramento – The Department of Water Resources (DWR) said today that Vaquero Swim Beach at Pyramid Lake in Los Angeles County will be open for swimming beginning Saturday as a result of improved algal bloom conditions. Laboratory tests of lake water this week detected a level of algae toxins that merits a “Caution” advisory, which means boaters and recreational users may swim in the lake and at designated swim beaches, but should remain cautious of potential blooms.

Vaquero Swim Beach has been closed to swimming due to a higher concentration of algae toxins detected using a field test kit. Based on the latest laboratory test results, the advisory for the Vaquero Swim Beach has changed from “Warning” to “Caution.” Emigrant Landing Swim Beach is also at “Caution” level. Swimming is now allowed throughout Pyramid Lake, but recreational users are urged to avoid direct contact with blue-green algae, which can pose health risks, particularly to children and pets.

Visitors are urged to choose safe water activities while recreating there. They should avoid ingesting water in all areas of the lake. Pets should be kept away from the water in all areas under this advisory.

Toxic blue-green algae exposure can cause eye irritation, allergic skin rash, mouth ulcers, vomiting, diarrhea, and cold- and flu-like symptoms. Pets can be especially susceptible because they tend to drink while in the water and lick their fur afterwards.

Bloom conditions can change rapidly, and wind and waves may move or concentrate the bloom into different regions of the lake. The algal bloom can appear as blue-green, white or brown foam, scum or mats that can float on the water’s surface and accumulate along the shoreline and boat ramp area.

The Statewide Guidance on Cyanobacteria and Harmful Algal Blooms recommends the following for waters impacted by blue-green algae:
· Take care that pets and livestock do not drink the water, swim through algae, scums or mats, or lick their fur after going in the water. Rinse pets in clean water to remove algae from fur.
· Avoid wading, swimming, or jet or water skiing in water containing algae blooms or scums or mats.
· Do not drink, cook, or wash dishes with untreated surface water from these areas under any circumstances; common water purification techniques such as camping filters, tablets and boiling do not remove toxins.
· People should not eat mussels or other bivalves collected from these areas. Limit or avoid eating fish from these areas; if fish are consumed, remove the guts and liver, and rinse filets in clean drinking water.
· Get medical treatment immediately if you think that you, your pet or livestock might have been poisoned by blue-green algae toxins. Be sure to alert the medical professional to the possible contact with blue-green algae. Also, make sure to contact the local county public health department.

PYRAMID LAKE, CA (Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2017 at 5 p.m.) — “Recreational users of Pyramid Lake should avoid contact with algae,” is the message the Department of Water Resources (DWR) issued today from Sacramento. Boaters and others  should not swim in the lake. Fisherfolk should be careful to remove all internal organs and wash all surfaces of any fish caught before eating. Today’s field test shows that algae levels at Emigrant Swim Beach remain at “Caution” and is unchanged since mid-July. Swimming is still allowed at that beach, but recreational users are urged to avoid direct contact with blue-green algae.

Bloom conditions  change rapidly. Wind and waves may move or concentrate the bloom into different regions of the lake, DWR said. The algal bloom can appear as blue-green, white or brown foam, scum or “mats” that can float on the water’s surface and accumulate along the shoreline and boat ramp area.

Blue-green algae can pose health risks, particularly to children and pets. Visitors to Pyramid Lake are urged to choose safe water activities there. They should avoid ingesting water in all areas of the lake. Pets should be kept away from the water in all areas under advisory.

Recreational exposure to toxic blue-green algae can cause eye irritation, allergic skin rash, mouth ulcers, vomiting, diarrhea, pluscold and flu-like symptoms. Pets may be especially susceptible because they tend to drink while in the water and lick their fur afterwards.

The Statewide Guidance on Cyanobacteria and Harmful Algal Blooms recommends the following for waters affected by blue-green algae:
•Take care that pets and livestock do not drink the water, swim through algae, scums or mats or lick their fur after going in the water.  Rinse pets in clean water to remove algae from fur.
• Avoid wading, swimming, jet or water skiing in water containing algae blooms or scums or mats.
• Do not drink, cook or wash dishes with untreated surface water from these areas under any circumstances; common water purification techniques such as camping filters, tablets and boiling do not remove toxins.
• People should not eat mussels or other bivalves collected from these areas. Limit or avoid eating fish from these areas; if fish are consumed, remove the guts and liver, and rinse fillets in clean drinking water.
• Get medical treatment immediately if you think that you, your pet or livestock might have been poisoned by blue-green algae toxins. Be sure to alert the medical professional to the possible contact with blue-green algae. Also, make sure to contact the local county public health department.

For more information, please visit:

California Department of Public Health:

State Water Resources Control Board – California CyanoHAB Network

CA Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment: Information on Microcystin

US Environmental Protection Agency: CyanoHAB website

This is part of the July 28, 2017 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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