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November 7, 2023
Media contact: Afiq Hisham, 971-273-3374, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov
Recreational use advisory lifted for Upper Klamath, Agency, and Ewauna Lakes Nov 7
PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has lifted the recreational use health advisory issued for Upper Klamath, Agency, and Ewauna Lakes in Klamath County.
OHA issued the advisory for Upper Klamath and Agency Lakes on July 25, with the Ewauna Lake advisory issued on Sept. 22.
Water monitoring confirms that the level of cyanotoxins in Upper Klamath, Agency, and Ewauna Lakes are below recreational guideline values for people. However, levels are still above OHA’s educational guideline values for dogs, and owners should keep their pets away from these areas.
OHA advises recreational visitors to be alert to signs of cyanobacteria blooms. This is because blooms can develop and disappear on any water body at any time when 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. Upon seeing these signs, avoid activities that can lead to swallowing water or inhaling droplets, such as swimming or high-speed water activities.
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.
For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482.
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