March 29, 2024

DNR warns against blue-green algae

Department sent out record number of advisories

The Iowa DNR recently sent out a statewide warning about blue-green algae and why it should be avoided. While it’s common for algae to appear more visible at this time of each summer, there have been more advisories issued in 2015 than ever before.

Mary Skopec is a the stream and monitoring coordinator for IOWATER, a division of the Iowa DNR that utilizes volunteers. She coordinates the beach monitoring program.

“We have seen a large number of blooms this year and set a record for the number of advisories, so we wanted to make people are aware of the issue,” Skopec said. “We don’t want to scare people, as this is a naturally occurring event. It happens every year in our lakes and rivers. We just want people to be aware that if the mycrocystins are present, it can cause problems for people or pets.”

All bodies of water in Iowa are susceptible to algae blooms, but waters that are nutrient-rich and stagnant are more likely to see blooms. Embayments or arms of lakes are vulnerable since the water there is generally more stagnant.

“The DNR generally issues a ‘seasonal precautionary’ press release in August to remind the public of the issues related to blue-green algae,” she said. “We are also putting an emphasis on pet health as hunters gear up for bringing hunting dogs into waterbodies.”

When asked if any bodies of water or wetlands in or near Jasper County were at any different risk level than the rest of the state, Skopec said there isn’t really data that shows algae to be congregating in any one region.

“I wouldn’t say that we see a geographic pattern as much as certain lakes seem to be a bit more vulnerable,” Skopec said. “Green Valley Lake (in Union County, north of Creston) and Black Hawk Lake (in Sac County, north of Carroll) have both had blooms most of the summer.”

The appearance can be a pea-green or blue-green color, but also might be reddish-brown. It may appear with scum, foam or as a thick mat on the water surface. Blue-green algae can grow quickly and become very abundant in warm, shallow, undisturbed surface water that receives a lot of sunlight.

Skopec said blue-green algae can release mycrosystins in the water that can make people and pets ill.

“We recommend that if you are in an area where it’s visibly showing masses of algae or a blue-green paint color, you should avoid contact with the water and keep pets away from it,” Skopec said.

The main risk to humans from microcystin is skin irritations and rashes, but if the water is swallowed or airborne droplets are inhaled during swimming, bathing or showering, symptoms could be worse. Those would include headaches, nausea, abdominal pain, seizures, liver injury and respiratory problems.

People can take the following precautions to prevent health-related problems due to harmful algae blooms:

• Don’t swim, water ski or boat in areas where the water is discolored or if there is foam, scum or mats of algae on the water.

• If you come in contact with water that might have a harmful algal bloom, rinse off with fresh water as soon as possible.

• Don’t let pets or livestock swim in or drink from areas where water is discolored, or if there is foam, scum or mats of algae on the water.

• Don’t let pets (especially dogs) lick the algae off their fur after swimming in scummy water.

• Don’t irrigate lawns or golf courses with pond water that looks scummy or has a bad odor.

• Don’t drink the water. Boiling the water will not make it safe to drink.