LOCAL

Golden algae is blooming in the Concho River, here's what you should know

Samuel Sutton
San Angelo
Golden algae blooms in the Concho River in April 2019.

SAN ANGELO — Golden algae has started blooming in the Concho River, killing off high numbers of fish in some areas.

The first report of dead fish came on April 4, 2019, said Lynn Wright, fisheries biologist for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Inland Fisheries San Angelo District.

"We found more dead fish on April 8, so we came back and did a water sample of five different locations in the Concho River from the Loop 306 bridge to Paint Rock on April 9," Wright said. "We sent the tests to our lab in San Marcos, where they found a number of golden alga cells."

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Wright said the algae has spread from the Loop 306 bridge to Mullins Crossing between Veribest and Miles.

The area with the highest toxicity is near Veribest Park, and the area with the lowest toxicity is in Paint Rock.

Golden algae affects any animals with gills, Wright said. Toxins in the algae cause them to stop breathing. However, it will not affect other animals or humans.

"If your pets or your livestock drink out of the river, they will not be harmed," Wright said.

While fishing is still allowed, the chances of catching anything will be low, Wright said. Wright also wanted people to know that while any fish caught is safe to eat, it is unwise to eat any fish that have already died.

Wright said the last time golden algae affected the Concho River was in 2017, and the problem lasted about two months.

Inland Fisheries will continue to monitor the algae until it stops blooming.

"We will sample again in about two to three weeks and post updates on social media," Wright said.

Wright said once the algae moves out, fish will start to migrate back into the river.

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Samuel Sutton is a multimedia journalist for GoSanAngelo.com. If you have a news tip, either send it to Samuel.Sutton@gosanangelo.com or News@gosanangelo.com, or call 325-812-7179.