‘Be aware’: Austin leaders urge caution as toxic algae blooms in local waterways
AUSTIN (KXAN) — As temperatures rise in Austin this spring, so do the risks of toxic algae blooms in local waterways.
Springtime is typically when Austin sees a high surge of toxic blue-green algae in local waterways, with higher temperatures creating a prime environment for the growth of cyanobacteria. The city has tracked the deadly algae blooms each year since 2019 when city leaders first noted toxic algae that led to the deaths of several dogs.
Following last week’s rainstorms, there might not appear to be as much algae in local waterways, city officials said. But that might not be the reality, said Dr. Brent Bellinger, conservation program supervisor with the City of Austin’s Watershed Protection Department.
Bellinger said people should avoid local rivers, lakes and water sources for at least three or four days after a massive rainstorm.
‘Be cautious’: Austin warns of toxic algae as temperatures increase
“For this weekend, given the magnitude of the rains that we had, other water quality issues could be a concern,” he said. “There was a lot of turbidity, sediments flushed into Lady Bird Lake, and that tends to spike E. coli.”
When it comes to monitoring local water sources, the city tracks algae activity at Lady Bird Lake, Red Bud Isle and Lake Austin while the Lower Colorado River Authority assists in analyzing the Highland Lakes. Bellinger said the city has launched a new program closely looking at algae present in area creeks.
This year marks the fourth year the Watershed Protection Department has utilized a treatment plan to curtail algae growth. Lanthanum-modified bentonite helps bind phosphorus in polluted waterways, denying nutrients to the toxic algae growth.
The department plans to do three treatment applications this summer and will continue to follow the algae’s presence and possible growth in various waterways.
For those heading out to local water recreation sites, Bellinger said people should exercise caution and be careful for any contact with possible algae.
“Just be aware of your surroundings,” he said. “If it looks turbid, if it looks dirty, if there’s weird smells, if you see a lot of scums — just avoid that.”
That avoidance advice is particularly critical for dog owners, Bellinger added. The blue-green algae is a neurotoxin that can be lethal when ingested by dogs.
Owners should try and prevent their dogs from drinking or playing in waters that have present algae scums since those could be toxic. They should also rinse their dogs off immediately after any contact with waterways, to help remove any potential toxins or bacteria from their bodies.
If a dog is unsteady on its feet, foaming at the mouth or experiencing any neurological issues, they need to be taken to an emergency vet immediately. The city also accepts 311 reporting on issues related to dogs ingesting water in infected waterways, to help know where to monitor and target.
“These are very potent neurotoxins, unfortunately, that the [algae] mats can produce or may produce,” he said, adding: “[311 reporting] gives us an idea of kind of the frequency that this is potentially occurring out there. But definitely taking care of the dog is the first thing that should be done.”
More details on the Watershed Protection Department’s toxic algae tracking efforts are available online.
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