Algae blooms have reached toxic levels in Lake Elsinore, prompting state water officials to issue a danger alert and urge people — and their pets — to stay out of the lake until further notice.
Lake Elsinore was the only body of water in Southern California to reach the “danger” level in the statewide advisory issued Friday by the California State and Regional Water Boards, which tested water quality in the state’s lakes last week. No area lakes received a “warning” level, in which people and animals are also told to stay out of the water, although three have received “caution” designations.
The blooms are naturally occurring but warm temperatures, stagnant water and excessive nutrients like fertilizer in urban runoff can send them to toxic levels. A large range of possible symptoms of poisoning include headaches, diarrhea, vomiting and skin irregularities.
If symptoms appear after exposure to toxic water, people should see a doctor or take their affected pet to a veterinarian.
Illnesses
Water officials have tallied six reports of related human illnesses and 12 reports of animal illness or death this year. The toxins can also accumulate in fish and shellfish, and those animals should not be eaten from lakes designated at the “danger” level.
Three other Southern California lakes have been given “caution” notices, in which swimming is allowed but pets should not go in the water or drink it and shellfish from the lakes should not be eaten.
People are also advised to avoid areas with visible algae or scum.
Those “caution” lakes are Pyramid Lake in Los Angeles County, Diamond Valley Lake in Riverside County and Lake Gregory in San Bernardino County.
Diamond Valley Lake near Hemet was closed for a month this summer after an algal bloom outbreak there.
No advisories have been issued for Castaic Lake in Los Angeles County, Silverwood and Spring Valley lakes in San Bernardino County, and Lake Perris in Riverside County.
For a list of the water quality in the state’s lakes, visit mywaterquality.ca.gov/habs/data_viewer/