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September 14, 2023
Contact: Afiq Hisham, 971-273-3374, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov
Recreational use advisory lifted for Aarons Lake
PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has lifted the recreational use health advisory issued July 25 for Aarons Lake on Sauvie Island in Columbia County.
Water monitoring has confirmed that the level of cyanotoxins in Aarons Lake are below recreational guideline values for people. Although the levels detected are below the recreational use values for people, they continue to be above OHA’s recreational use value for dogs. Owners should be aware of the potential exposure to their pets while at the lake, especially shallow, marshy areas where cyanobacteria blooms can form. Cyanobacteria can be present on green algae, growing from the sediment or on rocks.
OHA advises recreational visitors to continually be alert to signs of cyanobacteria blooms. This is because blooms can develop and disappear on any water body at any time when bloom conditions are favorable. Be aware that only a fraction of waterbodies in Oregon are monitored for blooms and toxins, so it’s important for people to become familiar with signs of a bloom, exposures and symptoms by visiting OHA’s Cyanobacteria Harmful Algae Bloom website at http://www.healthoregon.org/hab.
When recreating, people and especially small children and pets should avoid areas where the water is foamy, scummy, thick like paint, pea-green or blue-green, or if thick brownish-red mats are visible or bright green clumps are suspended in the water. If you see these signs, avoid activities that cause you to swallow water or inhale droplets, such as swimming or high-speed water activities, and keep pets out of the area.
Cyanotoxins can still exist in clear water. When a bloom dies, toxins released may reach into clear water around the bloom. Blooms can be pushed into other areas, leaving behind the toxins released. There also are species of cyanobacteria that anchor themselves at the bottom of a water body, live in the sediment, or can grow on aquatic plants and release toxins into clear water.
Dog owners can take precautions to reduce your pet’s exposure to any toxins that may be present.
- Do not let your dog drink from the lake, lick scum off rocks or eat aquatic plants.
- Bring water from home for your dog to drink.
- Do not let your dog lick their fur after being in the lake and wash them with clean water.
- Look for signs of distress or symptoms while at the reservoir. Symptoms can include:
- Diarrhea.
- Vomiting.
- Loss of energy or appetite.
- Lack of muscle control, stumbling or falling.
- Drooling.
- Convulsions, tremors, or seizures.
If you observe any unusual behavior from your pet or notice any of the symptoms listed, transport them to a veterinarian clinic immediately, inform the veterinarian of any potential exposure to a cyanotoxin, and follow up with the OHA to report an illness at 971-673-0482.
For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482.
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