Billy Chinook update: State park, marina open for business

Recent news about algae at Lake Billy Chinook may have travelers wondering whether to visit — and state park officials said Friday there’s no reason not to, as the health alert resulted from tests in one relatively isolated arm of the lake.

The Cove Palisades State Park staff note algae normally grows rapidly this time of year at the lake.

The park is on the south end of the lake, along the Crooked River, and features trails, two campgrounds totaling more than 250 tent and RV sites, cabins and a full-service marina, with fuel and houseboats for rent.

Eight miles west from the campground and marina, on a different arm of the reservoir along the Metolius River, tests were positive for toxins related to the algae.

Jefferson County health authorities will test the area around the state park and hope to have results before the Independence Day holiday weekend.

The park has posted information about the health advisory, but the campgrounds and marina are operating as usual, officials said

The Oregon Health Authority issued a health advisory Thursday for Lake Billy Chinook due to high levels of blue-green algae and the toxins they produce.

“These toxin concentrations can be harmful to humans and animals,” said the announcement for the lake, 26 miles southwest of Madras in Jefferson County.

Swallowing or inhaling water droplets, as well as skin contact with water, should be avoided, officials said. Drinking water directly from Lake Billy Chinook Reservoir is especially dangerous.

Oregon Public Health officials advised campers and other recreational visitors that toxins cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating the water with camping-style filters.

People who draw in-home water directly from Lake Billy Chinook Reservoir are advised to use an alternative water source, because private treatment systems are not proven effective at removing algae toxins.

However, public drinking water systems can reduce algae toxins through proper filtration and disinfection. If people on public water systems have questions about treatment and testing, they should contact their water supplier.

Oregon health officials recommend that people who choose to eat fish from waters where algae blooms are present remove all fat, skin and organs before cooking, because toxins are more likely to collect in these tissues.

Public health officials also advise people to not eat freshwater clams or mussels from Lake Billy Chinook and that Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations do not allow the harvest of these shellfish from freshwater sources. Crayfish muscle can be eaten, but internal organs and liquid fat should be discarded.

Exposure to toxins can produce symptoms of numbness, tingling and dizziness that can lead to difficulty breathing or heart problems, and require immediate medical attention.

Symptoms of skin irritation, weakness, diarrhea, nausea, cramps and fainting should also receive medical attention if they persist or worsen.

Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size and level of activity. People who bring their pets fishing with them should take special precautions to keep them from drinking from or swimming in the reservoir.

The public will be advised when the concern no longer exists.

With proper precautions to avoid water contact, people are encouraged to visit Lake Billy Chinook and enjoy activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, and bird-watching. Boating is safe as long as speeds do not create excessive water spray, which could lead to inhalation risk.

For local information, contact the U.S. Forest Service at 541-549-7700. For health information or to report an illness, contact the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) at 971-673-0400.

OHA maintains an updated list of all health advisories on its website. To find out if an advisory has been issued or lifted for a specific water body, visit the Harmful Algae Blooms website at http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/HarmfulAlgaeBlooms/Pages/index.aspx and select “algae bloom advisories,” or call the Oregon Public Health Division toll-free information line at 1-877-290-6767.