Prevent pets from drinking the water and eating or touching algae in the water and dried on the shore. In particular, prevent dogs from eating dried algal mats on shore.
Please report any large algal blooms and/or algae that is particularly bright, bubbly, strange-looking, or appears like a haze in the water.
Do not disturb algal mats in any way. Wading or swimming can cause toxins to be released into the water.
If you suspect a site has toxic algae, do not enter the water and do not drink water from the area. While some sites are signed based on testing results, it’s likely that algae exists in other parts of the forest. Don’t rely on signage alone.
According to the California Water Quality Monitoring Council, the following signs and symptoms may occur within 48 hours of exposure to a waterbody with a suspected or confirmed algal bloom:
- sore throat or congestion;
- coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing;
- red, or itchy skin, or a rash;
- skin blisters or hives;
- earache or irritated eyes;
- diarrhea or vomiting;
- agitation;
- headache;
- abdominal pain.
