{"id":1353,"date":"2022-11-07T14:04:05","date_gmt":"2022-11-07T14:04:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/lord-fairfax\/?p=1353"},"modified":"2022-11-07T14:04:05","modified_gmt":"2022-11-07T14:04:05","slug":"algal-mat-alerts-lifted-for-the-north-fork-of-the-shenandoah-river","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/lord-fairfax\/2022\/11\/07\/algal-mat-alerts-lifted-for-the-north-fork-of-the-shenandoah-river\/","title":{"rendered":"Algal Mat Alerts Lifted for the North Fork of the Shenandoah River\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Algal Mat Alerts Lifted for the North Fork of the Shenandoah River<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>near Town of Strasburg, VA\u00a0\u2013 2022 Harmful Algal Response Season Complete<\/strong><\/h2>\n

November 4, 2022
\nMedia Contact:\u00a0<\/strong>Lorrie Andrew-Spear,\u00a0Lorrie.Andrew-Spear@vdh.virginia.gov<\/a><\/h4>\n

(Strasburg, Va.) \u2013\u00a0An Algal Mat Alert which was issued for the North Fork Shenandoah River for the Town of Strasburg in July and August has been lifted due to the discontinuation of HAB Response for the season (May \u2013 October).\u00a0The HAB Task Force suspends response sampling at the end of October each year, when the recreational (swimming) season concludes and as temperatures begin cooling in natural waters. This enables conservation of response resources for peak swimming use. Algae mats which may still be sporadically present in October\/November in areas of a waterbody may persist into late fall and possibly winter months.\u00a0While cyanobacteria concentrations fluctuate during seasonal transitions, resources are not available to continue the response efforts in off-season months.<\/p>\n

The original mat alert area began above the town at approximately Route 644 (Deep Hollow Lane), to include the Deer Rapids Road Bridge, to below the town at approximately Route 611 (Long Meadow Road), for a total of approximately 11.5 miles.\u00a0No additional sampling in this vicinity could be conducted due to limited resources however recent reported observations suggest the mats have largely dissipated. The public should use caution while recreating in this vicinity and avoid algal mats if they are observed present along the bottom of the river or along shorelines.<\/p>\n

The public, in general, is advised to avoid areas in natural waterways that have algal mats or discolored, scummy water. People should not allow pets to swim in areas where mat material is observed. Contact with these mats may cause skin rash and gastrointestinal illnesses, such as upset stomach, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If mats are producing toxins, consumption of mats could be fatal to dogs and other animals when ingested. Humans should never consume water or material from a natural waterbody because this water is not treated water and is not suitable for consumption.<\/p>\n

VDH has observed no evidence of impacts to drinking water. The Office of Drinking Water is working with drinking water utilities to protect drinking water sources.<\/p>\n

Algae mats typically occur when warm water and nutrients combine to make conditions favorable for algae growth. While late fall and winter blooms are uncommon, they may occur. Most algae species are harmless; however, some species may produce irritating compounds or toxins. Avoid discolored water, scums or mat material that are green or bluish-green because they are more likely to contain toxins.<\/p>\n

To prevent illness, people should:<\/p>\n