Wickiup Reservoir algae health advisory lifted

The Oregon Health Authority said Monday it has lifted an algae-related health advisory issued September 19 for Wickiup Reservoir, located off South Century Drive in Deschutes County, about 40 miles southwest of Bend.

Water monitoring has confirmed reduced levels of blue-green algae and their toxins, officials said. These reduced levels are not likely to be harmful to humans and animals.

Oregon health officials advise people who use Oregon water bodies for recreation to always be alert to signs of harmful algae blooms.

People and their pets should avoid contact if the water is foamy, scummy, thick like paint, pea-green, blue-green or brownish-red in color, or if the water has a thick mat of algae with an unpleasant odor.

For local information about water quality or blue-green algae sampling, contact the U.S. Forest Service Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District at 541-383-4000 . For drinking water information, contact your local drinking water treatment facility.

For health information, to report human or pet illnesses due to blooms, or to ask questions about a news release, contact the Oregon Health Authority at 971-673-0400 . For information about advisories issued or lifted for the season, call the Oregon Public Health toll-free information line at 1-877-290-6767 or visit the Harmful Algae Bloom website at http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/HarmfulAlgaeBlooms/Pages/index.aspx and select “Algae Bloom Advisories.”