Tag: hab

Harmful Algae Bloom Advisory for Mill Creek Lake in Amherst County

July 17, 2024
Media Contact:  Linda Scarborough, PIO Western Region, Linda.Scarborough@vdh.virginia.gov

Harmful Algae Bloom Advisory for Mill Creek Lake in Amherst County
Public Advised to Avoid Water Contact

Amherst County, Va. – Mill Creek Lake in Amherst County is experiencing a harmful algae bloom (HAB). The Virginia Department of Health is warning citizens to stay out of the water and to keep their pets and children out as well. The public is advised to avoid contact with the lake until algae concentrations return to acceptable levels. Some harmful algae, called cyanobacteria, can cause skin rash and gastrointestinal illnesses, such as upset stomach, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

People and pets are advised to avoid swimming, as well as other activities that pose a risk of ingesting water. Due to low body weight, children and pets are at greater risk of severe illness if the water is ingested. Activities such as boating may continue with proper precaution in advisory areas.

Algae blooms can occur when warm water and nutrients combine to make conditions favorable for algae growth. Most algae species are harmless; however, some species may produce irritating compounds or toxins. Avoid discolored water or scums that are green or bluish-green because they are more likely to contain toxins.

To prevent illness, people should:

  • Avoid contact with any area of the lake where water is green or an advisory sign is posted,
  • WHEN IN DOUBT, STAY OUT!
  • Not allow children or pets to drink from natural bodies of water.
  • Keep children and pets out of the areas experiencing a harmful algae bloom and quickly wash them off with plenty of fresh, clean water after coming into contact with algae scum or bloom water.
  • Seek medical/veterinarian care if you or your animals experience symptoms after swimming in or near an algal bloom.
  • Properly clean fish by removing skin and discarding all internal organs and cook fish to the proper temperature to ensure fish fillets are safe to eat.

The area to avoid can be seen on an interactive Harmful Algal Bloom map. To lift advisories, there must be two acceptable samples collected at least 10 days apart. District health departments may accept results for samples collected less than 10 days apart at their discretion.

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Virginia Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force, which includes the VDH, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and the Old Dominion University Phytoplankton Laboratory, will continue to monitor water quality in the lake. In general, advisories will be lifted following two consecutive test results with acceptable levels for algal cell counts and/or toxin concentration.

Contact the Harmful Algal Bloom Hotline at 1-888-238-6154 if you suspect you experienced health-related effects following exposure to a bloom.

Visit www.SwimHealthyVA.com to learn more about harmful algae blooms or to report an algae bloom or fish kill.

 

Harmful Algae Bloom Advisory Issued for Upper Pamunkey Branch

September 22, 2023

Media Contact:Linda Scarborough, Linda.Scarborough@vdh.virginia.gov 
Brookie Crawford, Brookie.Crawford@vdh.virginia.gov

Harmful Algae Bloom Advisory Issued for Upper Pamunkey Branch; Upper and Middle North Anna Branch Advisories on Lake Anna Remain in Place
Public should avoid swimming in areas under advisory

RICHMOND, Va. – The Upper Pamunkey along with the Upper and Middle sections of North Anna Branch of Lake Anna in Louisa County is experiencing a harmful algae bloom (HAB). The public is advised to avoid contact with this specific area of the lake until algae concentrations return to acceptable levels.  Toxin results for samples are pending and should be available next week. The status report will reflect those updates (see link below). Some harmful algae, called cyanobacteria, can cause skin rash and gastrointestinal illnesses, such as upset stomach, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The area to avoid can be seen on an interactive Harmful Algal Bloom map. A status report containing the updated advisory areas based on samples collected on September 19 may be viewed at Lake Anna HAB Status Report 9.22.2023.

The sections of the lake currently under a swimming advisory due to unsafe levels of cyanobacteria:

Advisory Issued:

  • Upper Pamunkey Branch (advisory issued 9/22/23)– From the upper inundated waters of Pamunkey Branch to Runnymede Park

Advisories which remain in place:

  • Upper North Anna Branch –From the upper inundated waters of the North Anna arm of the lake downstream to the Rt. 522 Bridge.
  • Middle North Anna Branch – From the Rt. 522 Bridge, to include Rt. 719 (Holladay Bridge), to Lumsden Flats at Rose Valley Dr.

Results for the Middle North Anna Branch were acceptable (pending toxin results). If toxin results are acceptable, this is the first of two samples required to lift the advisory.

The area to avoid can be seen on an interactive Harmful Algal Bloom map. A status report containing the updated advisory areas may be viewed at Lake Anna HAB Status Report 9.22.2023.  To lift advisories, there must be two acceptable samples collected at least 10 days apart. District health departments may accept results for samples collected less than 10 days apart at their discretion. The next sampling date is planned for the week of September 27, 2023 (weather permitting).

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Virginia Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force, which includes the VDH, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and the Old Dominion University Phytoplankton Laboratory, will continue to monitor water quality in the lake. In general, advisories will be lifted following two consecutive test results with acceptable levels for algal cell counts and/or toxin concentration.

For more information visit www.SwimHealthyVA.com.

Harmful Algal Bloom Advisory Issued for Blackwater River arm of Smith Mountain Lake in Bedford, Franklin, and Pittsylvania Counties, VA

June 6, 2023
Media Contact: Linda Scarborough, Linda.Scarborough@vdh.virginia.gov

Harmful Algal Bloom Advisory Issued for Blackwater River arm of Smith Mountain Lake in Bedford, Franklin, and Pittsylvania Counties, VA

Public Advised to Avoid Water Contact in Affected Areas

(Roanoke, Va.) – The Blackwater River arm of Smith Mountain Lake in Bedford, Franklin, and Pittsylvania counties are experiencing a harmful algal bloom (HAB). The public is advised to avoid contact with the water until algal concentrations return to acceptable levels. The reported blooms have produced blue/green discoloration and algal scums that should be avoided. Some harmful algae, called cyanobacteria, can cause skin rash and gastrointestinal illnesses, such as upset stomach, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The area to avoid can be seen on an interactive Harmful Algal Bloom map.​ A status report containing the advisory area may be viewed at Smith Mountain Lake – Blackwater River HAB Status Report June 6, 2023.​

Sample results from collections on June 1 indicated a swimming advisory is necessary due to unsafe levels of cyanobacteria, which have the potential to produce multiple toxins. Toxin results at these sites are pending but will not change the advisory. People and pets are advised to avoid swimming, windsurfing and stand-up-paddle-boarding, as well as other activities that pose a risk of ingesting water in this area. Activities such as boating may continue with proper precaution in the advisory area. Follow-up samples indicating algae and toxins are below levels of concern are necessary to lift the advisory – dates of next sampling are to be determined.

​​​​​The areas within the Blackwater River arm of Smith Mountain Lake where samples were collected:


Blackwater River

  • Unnamed Creek cove; Blackwater River at Kemp Ford Road
  • Blackwater River cove at Virginia Key Trail
  • Blackwater River cove near Anthony Ford Landing

Algal blooms can occur when warm water and nutrients combine to make conditions favorable for algal growth. Most algal species are harmless. However, some species may produce irritating compounds or toxins. Avoid discolored water or scums that are green or bluish-green because they are more likely to contain toxins.
To prevent illness, people should:

  • Avoid contact with any area of the lake where scums are present or water is green or blue-green or an advisory sign is posted,
    WHEN IN DOUBT, STAY OUT!
  • Not allow children or pets to drink from natural bodies of water.
  • Keep children and pets out of the areas experiencing a harmful algal bloom and quickly wash them off with plenty of fresh, clean water after contact with algal scum or bloom water.
  • Seek medical/veterinarian care if you or your animals experience symptoms after swimming in or near an algal bloom.
  • Properly clean fish by removing skin and discarding all internal organs and cook fish to the proper temperature to ensure fish fillets are safe to eat.
  • Contact the Harmful Algal Bloom Hotline at 1-888-238-6154 if you suspect you experienced health-related effects following exposure to a bloom.
  • Visit SwimHealthyVA.com to learn more about harmful algal blooms or to report an algal bloom or fish kill.

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Virginia Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force, which includes the VDH, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and the Old Dominion University Phytoplankton Laboratory, will continue to monitor water quality in the lake. In general, advisories will be lifted following two consecutive test results (a minimum of 10-days apart) with acceptable levels for algal cell counts and/or toxin concentration. An advisory may be lifted or maintained at the discretion of the health department. For example, after one test an advisory may be lifted if results are within safe levels for swimming if other information indicates exposure or human health risk is low. The Harmful Algal Bloom map is updated to reflect the HAB advisory status of the Blackwater River arm of Smith Mountain Lake. The recent advisory extent is summarized in the Smith Mountain Lake – Blackwater River HAB Status Report June 6, 2023. For more information visit www.SwimHealthyVA.com.

 

 

Harmful Algae Bloom in Lee Lake (Nottoway Lake), Nottoway County

June 27, 2022
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov

Harmful Algae Bloom in Lee Lake (Nottoway Lake), Nottoway County
Please Avoid Contact with Lake Water

NOTTOWAY, Va. –Potentially toxic cyanobacteria have formed a harmful algal “bloom” (HAB) in Lee Lake (Nottoway Lake) in Nottoway County just north of Blackstone. This type of blue-green algae may produce a toxin that can cause rashes and other illnesses. The Virginia Department of Health warns visitors to stay out of the water, and to keep their pets out, too. Due to relatively low body weight, children and pets are at greater risk of severe illness if they ingest the water. Pets also can fall ill if they get wet and then lick their fur.

HABs occur when warm water and nutrients combine to create favorable growing conditions for algae. They can become so dense that they turn the water green or bluish-green and form scummy clumps on the water surface which look like paint. Activities that may result in accidental ingestion, such as swimming, pose the greatest health due to the potential for this algae to produce toxins. Activities such as kayaking, canoeing, and fishing; activities which are not likely to result in submersion of your head below the water, may continue with proper caution to avoid water contact. Those harvesting fish from the waterbody during the bloom may do so safely providing they clean the filets and cook to proper temperature, while discarding the carcass and viscera, and cleaning the knife, cutting board, and hands thoroughly with soap and water.

“The Piedmont Health District is collaborating with the Department of Environmental Quality, who will conduct follow-up sampling,” said David Waldrep, environmental health manager senior, Piedmont Health District. “We also are working with the Department of Wildlife Resources to coordinate announcements, post signs, and to inform visitors of Lee Lake of the bloom so they may take care to avoid contact with the water.”

Advisories may be lifted following two acceptable water samples, taken 10 days apart, containing cyanobacteria cell concentrations and toxins below safe swimming levels.

To prevent illness due to cyanobacteria exposure, people should follow these healthy water habits:

  • Never allow people or pets to drink untreated water.
  • Avoid contact with any waterbody with discolored water, water that smells bad, or has an advisory sign.
  • Keep children and pets out of advisory areas. If contact with bloom water cannot be avoided (i.e. to launch a boat), quickly wash skin or fur with plenty of clean fresh water.
  • If you experience symptoms after swimming in or near an algal bloom, seek medical care and let the provider know about your exposure to the bloom water.

To report algal blooms please submit via the Online HAB Report Form. If you suspect that you have experienced an algae-related health effect, report your illness to the Harmful Algal Bloom Hotline at 888-238-6154. For more information or to see where other algae advisories have been issued visit http://www.SwimHealthyVa.com.

# # #