Climate change and dangerous waters
Learn how to avoid harmful algal blooms
Fall is a wonderful time for walks along a lake, river, or other waterfront. But, partially due to climate change, it’s also when toxic blue-green algae blooms are most likely to occur in state waters.
“Data suggests that the effects of climate change, including warmer temperatures and fewer days without clouds, lead to an increase in harmful algal blooms (HABs),” said Joan Hardy, Ph.D., a DOH expert on HABs. “We are more likely to see more toxic blooms as warm weather and droughts intensify.”
Toxins from blue-green algae blooms, also known as toxic cyanobacteria blooms, can sicken people and animals. Understanding why they happen and how to avoid them is important.
Most blooms occur in September and October. But toxic blooms happen year-round. A combination of warm temperatures, sunlight, and nutrient-rich waters can cause cyanobacteria to reproduce rapidly, or “bloom.” A bloom can cloud a clear lake, pond, or ditch in a few days. The toxins in blooms are especially dangerous to children and can cause severe reactions in adults.
Harmful algal blooms are in the news a lot recently. At least 7 pet dogs died this summer after encountering blooms:
- Three after swimming in the Little Spokane River near Chatteroy
- Four along the Columbia River near the Tri-Cities.
Blooms sickened other dogs, too. Water testing is ongoing in the Columbia River near Tri-Cities to ensure the drinking water supplies remain safe.
- About 2,000 bats, several birds, and some perch died near Pass Lake at Deception Pass this year when high levels of nerve toxins caused by a bloom were present.
- Scientists also suspect that a toxic bloom killed 6 head of cattle in Wahkiakum County.
Most blooms aren’t toxic, but it’s best to learn how to avoid them.
How to spot a bloom
HABs can look like paint spilled on the water or grass clippings. They can be green, blue-green, reddish or brownish. Blooms can be near the shoreline or cover large or small areas of a lake or other bodies of water. You can’t tell if a bloom is toxic by simply looking at it — it needs to be tested, frequently. Some blooms can test safe one day, then toxic the next. Toxins can also remain present in the water even after a visible bloom dissipates. That’s why water testing is required for two weeks before reopening an area after a toxic bloom.
Water system operators around the state regularly treat water for microorganisms, like cyanobacteria, to keep our drinking water safe.
When in doubt, stay out.
When you see something that looks like a bloom, give it room:
- Do not swim or waterski in the water.
- Do not drink the water.
- Keep children, pets, and livestock out of the water. Toxins clinging to fur can poison pets when licked off. Always rinse pets that have been in a lake or river with a suspected bloom. When outdoors, don’t forget drinking water for your pets to help them avoid drinking from potentially toxic blooms.
- Hunters need to be cautious because hunting dogs often become sick from entering fall blooms.
- Clean fish well and discard the guts.
- Avoid areas of scum while boating.
- You can get help with bloom problems from the Department of Ecology.
- Watch for warning signs indicating harmful algal blooms.
Stay safe and help us test the water.
If you see a lake with a potential bloom, report it to your local health department or the State Department of Ecology. You also can learn to test an algae bloom.
The Washington State Toxic Algae website lists lakes that tested higher than what’s considered safe values. Check it to see if your lake or stream is on the list of potentially unsafe bodies of water.
For data on how climate change affects Washington, visit our Washington Tracking Network page. Also, learn what you can do about climate change to help keep Washington healthy.
Enjoy our state’s beautiful waterways. But when it comes to toxic blooms, when in doubt, stay out.
More Information
Information in this blog changes rapidly. Sign up to be notified whenever we post new articles. For more information from the Washington State Department of Health, visit doh.wa.gov.
Questions about COVID-19? Visit our COVID-19 website to learn more about vaccines and booster doses, testing, WA Notify, and more. You can also contact the Department of Health call center at 1–800–525–0127 and press # from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday — Sunday and observed state holidays. Language assistance is available.
