East Bay Regional Park District officials are advising the public to keep out of the water at Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley due to a bloom of blue-green algae.
Initial tests determined that the algae is NOT toxic, but officials are advising extra caution because of a toxic bloom on the Sacramento River in Sacramento County. Blue-green algae can unexpectedly become toxic, and the District plans to continue closely monitoring water samples along the Delta shoreline.
Photo by Dawn Morrow
Park staff have installed signs at Big Break advising the public to avoid the water, rinse thoroughly after water contact, and take special care to keep dogs out of the water.
Kayaking and fishing are still allowed at Big Break. Fish may be consumed after removing the guts and rinsing the fillets in tap water.
Toxic blue-green algae continues to plague lakes and waterways throughout the U.S., including the Great Lakes, Ohio River and Russian River. In the East Bay, several lakes (Temescal, Anza, Chabot and Quarry) have blooms of toxic algae, due in part of extreme drought conditions.
Currently, the following locations are closed due to toxic blooms of blue-green algae and other water-quality issues
- Lake Temescal
- Quarry Lakes
- Lake Chabot
- Shinn Pond
- Lake Anza
For information, please contact Carolyn Jones, Public Information Supervisor, (510) 544-2217, [email protected].
The following statement was provide by Diane Burgis, East Bay Regional Park District
Back in July I posted this little reminder that people should be cautious about allowing their animals to go in to water. About 2 weeks ago blue green algae was found up in the Sacramento River which prompted EBRPD staff to test waters near Big Break and the Oakley Antioch Pier. Traces of Blue Green Algae has been found in both locations BUT NOT AT TOXIC LEVELS AT THIS TIME.
With the unusually low flows and high temperatures particular kinds of algae can become toxic. In certain places across the state and unfortunately in at least one EBRPD parks dogs were allowed to enter the water and died shortly afterwards from exposure.
As I said before the levels are not at toxic levels at this time but with no rain in the near future & these nice warm sunny fall days toxciity levels could rise. Please keep animals out of the water and take precautions just in case!!
