Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

listen live donate
listen live donate
listen live
donate
  • News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
    News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
    Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
  • Podcasts & Shows
  • Schedules
  • Events
  • Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
    Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • Environment
  •  

Despite Record Snow Melt, Toxic Algae Continues To Bloom In California Lakes And Ponds

  •  Ezra David Romero 
Tuesday, June 25, 2019 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife

A blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) bloom at Clear Lake, Lake County, California, resulted in oxygen depletion in the water and the subsequent mortality of multiple aquatic species, including carp, catfish, bluegill and crappie.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife

California’s record snowpack is melting into significant runoff this summer, filling the state’s lakes and ponds with cold, fresh water. These flows usually help prevent blue-green algae blooms, which form in waterways and are toxic to humans and can be deadly to pets. But since mid-spring, there’s been reports of the dangerous — and stinky — algae blooms across the state.

"It's interesting — and maybe a bit surprising — that we do see these blooms even after these big winters,” said Keith Bouma-Gregson, manager of the California Freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms Program. 

Blooms have been found in lakes such as Shasta and Oroville in the north, and as far south as Lindo Lake near San Diego. 

Bouma-Gregson says the resurgent blooms during the hot summer months could be because of the erosion, which snow-melt runoff carried into reservoirs. 

Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, is a natural part of ecosystems and has been around for billions of years. It grows in multiple colors — also red, brown and even white — and can look like paint floating on water. And it often smells like rotten eggs.

The algae produces oxygen, and it’s a food source for some organisms. But when conditions align — hot temperatures, still water and increased dirt and debris in that water — algae can grow rapidly and result in blooms. 

Their toxins and compounds pose a risk to humans and animals. Blooms usually happen between April and October, and some research suggests that climate change is making them worse.

“With more droughts, we expect blooms to be prevalent,” said Bouma-Gregson.

Perhaps the worst bloom so far this year is in the middle of the state at San Luis Reservoir, according to Maggie Macias with the Department of Water Resources. 

"There's no swimming, no water contact sports, such as jet skiing, due to potential adverse health effects,” she said. 

Algae can cause skin rashes and vomiting — and in some cases pets will die when exposed. 

A DWR release says pets are “susceptible because they tend to drink while in the water and lick their fur afterward.”

To find a map of harmful algal blooms in California, click here. 


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

Ezra David Romero

Former Environment Reporter

Ezra David Romero is a former Environment Reporter at CapRadio.  Read Full Bio 

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More Environment Stories

Andrew Nixon/CapRadio

Another atmospheric river brings more rain, wind and snow to Northern California

March 28, 2023

Martin do Nascimento / CalMatters

As floods endanger the San Joaquin Valley, Newsom cuts funding for floodplains

March 29, 2023

AP Photo/Ethan Swope, File

California announces a rollback of some state drought restrictions

March 24, 2023

Most Viewed

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    •  
      (916) 278-8900
    •  
      (877) 480-5900
    •  Contact / Feedback
    •  Submit a Tip / Story Idea
  • About

    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Stations & Coverage Map
    • Careers & Internships
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
    • Press
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile Apps
    • Smart Speakers
    • Podcasts & Shows
    • On-Air Schedules
    • Daily Playlist
    • Signal Status
  • Connect

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen Live

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2023, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.