Austin Watershed tests Auditorium Shores for toxic algae after first sight in two weeks

The City of Austin’s Watershed department has been monitoring several locations along Lady Bird Lake for toxic algae.

After two weeks of at monitoring Auditorium Shores, the department encountered traces and began testing.

COA staff collected samples from Red Bud Isle, the mouth of Barton Creek, Vic Mathias Shores and Festival Beach at the beginning of July, where concerning algae was not observed. Algae samples were sent to the University of Texas where researchers will identify the algae species, perform DNA finger printing and test for toxins.

Initial lab results show some of the algae tested are the same toxin-producing species found last summer, which killed at least five dogs.

Austin Watershed will continue to keep testing Festival Beach and Red Bud Isle, and recommend people avoid bringing dogs to any parts of Lady Bird Lake.

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COA recommends dog owners take the following precautions:

• Check AustinTexas.gov/algae for the latest information before taking their dogs to the lake.
• Avoid areas with floating mats of algae or stagnant areas of the lake.
• Rinse dogs after contact with Lady Bird Lake to help prevent them from licking algae off their fur.

Dog owners should take their pets to a veterinarian immediately if their dogs become sick after swimming in Lady Bird Lake. Please also report the illness to 3-1-1. Symptoms of exposure may include:

• Excessive drooling, vomiting and diarrhea
• Foaming at the mouth
• Jaundice and hepatomegaly
• Blood in urine or dark urine
• Stumbling
• Loss of appetite
• Photosensitization in recovering animals
• Abdominal tenderness
• Progression of muscle twitches
• Respiratory paralysis