Russian River Visitors Warned About Possibly Toxic Algae
SONOMA COUNTY (CBS SF) – Sonoma County officials began posting signs Friday at public beaches along the Russian River, warning swimmers of possibly toxic algae blooms.
The Environmental Health and Safety Section of the Sonoma County Department of Health Services and the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board are recommending beach-goers practice safety precautions, after health department officials detected small amounts of blue-green algae and toxins in the river.
County health officials are advising visitors to avoid drinking river water or cooking with it. Additionally, visitors should supervise young children near the water, as well pets.
Beach-goers are also advised to wash themselves, their families and their pets with clean water after swimming in the river, health department officials said.
Any fish caught in the river should be consumed only after the guts and liver have been removed and the fillet rinsed with clean water.
Although blue-green algae is common in many water environments, warm waters, low flows and abundant nutrients can cause algae to grow faster than usual. The conditions also encourage the growth of algal mats, or algae blooms as they're also known, according to health department officials.
The current drought and abnormally hot temperatures are factors in the rapid growth of the blooms.
Although some blue-green algae have the ability to produce toxins, the Health Services Department said most do not.
Algae blooms can vary in form, with some appearing green, blue-green, white or brown, with a foamy, scummy or mat-like texture, health department officials said.
Blue-green algae toxins can cause a variety of symptoms, including irritation of the eye, nose, mouth and skin, gastro-intestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and liver inflammation, as well as neurological symptoms such as muscle tremors, seizures and difficulty breathing, according to the health department.
For questions regarding the status of the Russian River, visitors can call the county beach hotline at (707) 565-6552.
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