Algae health alert lifted for Detroit Lake
The Oregon Health Authority on Thursday lifted a health advisory issued six days earlier for Detroit Lake after new water monitoring confirmed that blue-green algae and toxin levels had dropped below levels of concern for humans, though not for dogs.
The lifted alert came just in time for Memorial Day weekend visitors to the lake,s located 46 miles southeast of Salem on the North Santiam River in Linn and Marion counties.
Officials said water monitoring has confirmed the level of blue-green algae and any associated toxins are well below guideline values for human exposure.
However, the agency still recommends that people continue to be cautious with their pets, because toxins are still above the very low exposure levels established for dogs.
Oregon health officials advise people who recreate in Oregon water bodies 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 is visible in the water.
For local information, contact the U.S. Forest Service at 503-854-3366 . For health information or to report an illness, contact the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) at 971-673-0400 .
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 visiit http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/HarmfulAlgaeBlooms/Pages/index.aspx and select “Algae Bloom Advisories,” for information about advisories issued or lifted for the season.
