March 19, 2024
Algae warning extended at Lake Silverwood
INLAND EMPIRE – (INT) - The summer of blue-green algae is keeping some people away from their favorite lakes.

An advisory has been extended at Lake Silverwood in the San Bernardino Mountains where water-contact sports is off-limits because of blooms of the algae.

All water activity is prohibited, including swimming, wading, boating, waterskiing and jet-skiing.

Sunlight, warm temperatures, nutrients in the water and calm conditions can contribute to algal blooms, which are considered to be harmful if they produce toxins that can affect people and pets when they contact the affected water.

People can be exposed to the toxins when they accidentally ingest water while swimming or waterskiing. The toxins can also contact the skin during swimming or be inhaled if they become aerosolized, such as during waterskiing or jet skiing.

Exposure to high concentrations of these toxins can cause skin rashes, eye, nose, mouth or throat irritation, headache and gastrointestinal upset.

Lake Elsinore has been reopened for recreational use after levels of toxins created by the blue-green algae diminished. But, Pyramid Lake in Los Angeles County remains closed.

Precautions include:
· · No swimming.
· · Stay away from scum and cloudy or discolored water.
· · Do not drink lake water or use it for cooking. Boiling or filtering will not make the water safe.
· · Do not let pets go into or drink the water, or go near scum on the shoreline.
· · For fish caught here, throw away guts and clean fillets with tap water or bottled water before cooking.
· · Do not eat shellfish from these waters.
Story Date: August 14, 2016
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