Visitors warned to avoid toxic algal bloom at San Bernardino County lake

Swimmers and boaters at a popular San Bernardino County lake were told to stay away from a toxic algal bloom discovered in the water.

California’s Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced the algal bloom advisory for Silverwood Lake in a post on X , formerly Twitter, on May 3.

“Always keep yourself and pets away from algal blooms,” the DWR stated in the post, which directed users to its website for further information.

Blue-green algae blooms are a natural part of the ecosystem but can produce toxins.

“While some algae are harmless, certain types can produce toxins that can make people and animals sick,” the DWR stated.

Advisories are issued once tests are positive that a harmful algal bloom is present and will not be reduced until lab results show declining toxin levels below the level of concern for two weeks.

The DWR says there is no way to tell for sure if an algal bloom is toxic just by looking at it but there are indicators.

Signs of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs):

• Small blue-green, green, white, or brown particles in the water
• Streaks in the water that look like spilled paint
• Mats, scum, or foam at the surface or along the shoreline
• Can have an odor described as gasoline, septic, or fishy

The DWR urges all recreational users to exercise caution and avoid contacting algae when blue-green algae, aka cyanobacteria, are present in waterways.

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