Harmful algal bloom health advisory for Brownlee and Hells Canyon reservoirs
By Joe Hathaway on Thursday, August 8th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER/WALLOWA COUNTIES — The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is warning people to be cautious of harmful algal blooms in the Brownlee and Hells Canyon reservoirs, which also borders Baker and Wallowa counties.
Recent reservoir samples showed high levels of cyanobacteria that produce cyanotoxins that can harm people, pets and livestock, the state health department announced in a news release.
During the advisory, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare advises people to be cautious while recreating near or in those reservoirs — such as avoiding swimming, wading or contact with the water.
Under the health department’s advisory:
- Children should not drink or contact reservoir water.
- Pets and livestock shouldn’t drink the water, or go in it. If pets and livestock contact the water, immediately clean their skin, hide or fur with clean water. Within minutes to days after exposure to cyanotoxin, pets, livestock and wildlife can become sick or die. Dogs might get sick first, since they are more likely to swim in, drink or lick contaminated water or bloom material off their fur. If your pet or livestock seem sick after entering or drinking the water, immediately seek veterinary care.
- Watch for symptoms. People who touch or swim in the water, or breath water droplets, might have a rash, hives, red eyes, wheezing, coughing or shortness of breath. People who swallow the water might have stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, muscle weakness or dizziness. People whose liver becomes damaged might have yellow skin and dark urine.
- If you think you’re sick from cyanotoxin, contact your healthcare provider or call the poison center at 1-800-222-1222. You can also notify algae@deq.idaho.gov.
Cyanobacteria are natural to Idaho’s recreational water bodies, the news release said. Rising temperatures can lead to blooms that release toxins into the water.
Blooms can look different — like mats, foam, spilled paint, or surface scum with a foul odor. And they might not always be visible, such as mats on the bottom of water.
People should also be cautious about handling objects from the water:
Do not cook with or drink the water. Toxins aren’t removed by boiling or filtering the water, which can raise the risk of illness.
After handling fish or objects from the water, thoroughly wash hands in clean water. If you eat fish from the water, clean and wash it thoroughly in clean water. Before cooking, filet the fish and remove all internal organs, fat and skin. Cynaotoxins can build up in fish, the health department says, and human risk is unknown.
Report a potential harmful algal bloom using the Department of Environmental Quality’s online form, by phone at 866-671-5385 or email algae@deq.idaho.gov.
