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Health advisory issued for Hayden Lake

by DAVID COLE/dcole@cdapress.com
| August 2, 2014 9:00 PM

HAYDEN LAKE - Local health and environmental agencies on Friday issued a health advisory for the northeast end of Hayden Lake because of blue-green algae.

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and Panhandle Health District said the advisory was specifically for the lake near the Sportsman's Access boat launch and parking area. Water samples taken there confirmed the presence of the potentially toxin-producing algae.

"Any clear, open water is fine" for swimming, said Dick Martindale, manager of the health district's environmental health section. "Avoid contact with the green, slimy stuff itself."

People will likely avoid it, he said, but they need to make sure their dogs do as well.

"They'll lap that up as they're swimming through it," he said.

Adults need to make sure children don't swim in it.

"Really young kids may not think much of it," Martindale said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who drink or swim in water that contains high concentrations of cyanobacteria or cyanobacterial toxins may experience gastroenteritis, skin irritation, allergic responses, or liver damage.

"Blue-green algae are naturally occurring, microscopic bacteria," the agencies said in the statement Friday afternoon. "Drinking water from the lake is especially dangerous and the toxins cannot be removed by boiling or filtering the water."

Symptoms of exposure in humans include numbness, tingling, skin irritation and nausea. If symptoms persist or worsen, people should seek medical attention, the health district said.

Livestock should also avoid the area.

Bob Steed, a surface water ecologist for the DEQ, said the algae appeared earlier than in past years. Detection is more likely in mid- to late August.

"That's when it's happened in the past," Steed said Friday.

This summer there has been a lot of heat and direct sunlight, Steed said.

The water that tested positive was collected from the north and east of the sportsman's access boat ramp.

Steed said water samples will be taken next week to see if the algae level has diminished.

"My estimate is it won't go outside the north arm" of the lake, Steed said. The rest of the lake is in great shape.

The north end, which has flooded wetlands, has excess nutrients in the water. Blue-green algae can have an oily sheen, and when heavily concentrated the appearance is similar to blue-green latex paint.

Martindale said the public will be advised when the concern no longer exists.