Willamette River algae alert over; not Wickiup’s
The Oregon Health Authority said Thursday it has lifted a health advisory for the Willamette River issued over two weeks ago due to high levels of blue-green algae, but the one issued for Wickiup Reservoir around the same time is still in place.
The Willamette advisory, issued September 16 and updated two days later, covered the stretch of river from Ross Island to Sauvie Island.
The department said water monitoring has confirmed reduced levels of blue-green algae and their toxins. “These reduced levels are not likely to be harmful to humans and animals,” they said.
The agency issued a similar advisory Sept. 19 for Wickiup Reservoir, west of La Pine, due to high algae levels.
Water monitoring confirmed the presence of very high levels of cyanotoxins produced by the blue-green algae. The dangerous toxin concentrations in the water can be harmful to humans and animals.
An agency spokesman said Thursday that advisory remains in place.
Since not all water bodies or sections of a river are monitored for blue-green algae, Oregon health officials advise people who use Oregon waters for recreation to always be alert to signs of 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 a thick mat of algae with an unpleasant odor is visible in the water.
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 . Also contact the Oregon Public Health toll-free information line at 1-877-290-6767 or visit the Harmful Algae Blooms website at www.healthoregon.org/hab and select “Algae Bloom Advisories,” for information regarding advisories issued or lifted for the season.
