{"id":9474,"date":"2022-09-13T17:08:29","date_gmt":"2022-09-13T21:08:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/?page_id=9474"},"modified":"2022-09-13T17:08:29","modified_gmt":"2022-09-13T21:08:29","slug":"harmful-algae-bloom-advisory-update-advisory-continues-for-upper-middle-and-lower-sections-of-north-anna-and-pamunkey-branches-including-terrys-run-of-lake-anna","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/public-relations-contacts\/archived-news-releases\/2022-news-releases\/harmful-algae-bloom-advisory-update-advisory-continues-for-upper-middle-and-lower-sections-of-north-anna-and-pamunkey-branches-including-terrys-run-of-lake-anna\/","title":{"rendered":"Harmful Algae Bloom Advisory Update: Advisory Continues for Upper, Middle, and Lower Sections of North Anna and Pamunkey Branches (including Terry\u2019s Run) of Lake Anna"},"content":{"rendered":"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — September 13, 2022
\nMedia Contact:<\/strong> Brookie Crawford, Brookie.Crawford@vdh.virginia.gov<\/a><\/p>\n

Harmful Algae Bloom Advisory Update: Advisory Continues for Upper, Middle, and Lower Sections of North Anna and Pamunkey Branches (including Terry\u2019s Run) of Lake Anna
\n<\/strong>Public Advised to Avoid Water Contact with Upper, Middle, and Lower sections of Lake Anna above Route 208 in Orange, Louisa and Spotsylvania Counties<\/em><\/p>\n

RICHMOND, Va. \u2013 The North Anna and Upper Pamunkey branches, including Terry\u2019s Run, of Lake Anna in Orange, Louisa and Spotsylvania counties continue to experience a harmful algae bloom (HAB). The public is advised to avoid contact with specific areas of the lake until algae concentrations return to acceptable levels.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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<\/a> map. A status report containing the updated advisory areas may be viewed at Lake Anna HAB Status Report 9.13.22<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sample results from collections on September 6 indicated that five locations in the North Anna and Pamunkey Branches, swimming advisories are necessary due to unsafe levels of cyanobacteria, which have the potential to produce toxins. People and pets are advised to avoid swimming, windsurfing and stand-up-paddleboarding, as well as other activities that pose a risk of ingesting water. Activities such as boating may continue with proper precaution in advisory areas. Follow-up monitoring above Route. 208 on the lake is planned (weather permitting) for the first week of October.<\/p>\n

The samples collected at the Lake Anna State Park beach September 6 indicated cyanobacteria densities were at acceptable levels; however, two samples collected 10 days apart at acceptable levels are needed to lift the advisory.<\/p>\n

The sections of the lake currently under advisory:<\/p>\n

Pamunkey Branch \u2013 Upper (including Terry\u2019s Run) and Middle \u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n