Upcoming Meetings & Webinars

Current Posting Status:

Gerber Reservoir is De-Posted: January 31st, 2012

Environmental factors and field observations at Gerber Reservoir warrant de-posing based on the State of Oregons ’s Recommended Threshold for Recreational Waters for toxic species cell counts.

Klamath River Reservoirs are De-Posted: January 27th, 2012

Environmental factors and field observations at Iron Gate and Copco Reservoirs warrant de-posing based on the State of California ’s Recommended Threshold for Recreational Waters for toxic species cell counts.

Klamath River above I5 Bridge De-Posted: November 28th, 2011

The sample results collected November 28th, 2011 from above I 5 Bridge locations are below the State of California ’s Recommended Threshold for Recreational Waters for toxic species cell counts.

Klamath River at Brown Bear De-Posted: October 26th, 2011

The sample results collected October 19th, 2011 from the Brown Bear location are below the State of California ’s Recommended Threshold for Recreational Waters for toxic species cell counts.

Blue-Green Algae Tracker

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How to use the Tracker

Select a "Sampling Date" in the pull-down window above. Click on the balloon to see a graph of the cell counts and toxin level for that location. Annual cell count and toxin levels are available under the Graphs tab.

About the Tracker

The Tracker was built to better inform the public and research community regarding river conditions. The Tracker utilizes up-to-date multi-agency data to track the blue-green algae bloom throughout the Klamath Basin.

Having trouble? The tracker doesn't work well on older versions of Explorer. Try this LINK.

Blue-Green Algae

In the Klamath Basin blue-green algae blooms typically occur between June and October when temperatures rise and water conditions are favorable for algal growth. In an effort to protect public health, blue-green algae monitoring typically occurs May - November. If river conditions exceed public health standards for toxic algae the area is posted with a health advisory sign. The Blue-Green Algae Tracker (below) identifies blue-green algae monitoring results by location: "green" balloon = below public health threshold; "red" balloon = above public health threshold.

*Posting Guidelines - Updated July 2010 - Report (pdf)

The California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), California Department of Public Health (CDPH), California's Office of Environmental Health and Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), and Oregon Department of Health Services (ODHS) provide guidelines for posting advisories in recreation waters. These guidelines were developed using information provided in World Health Organization. Both SWRCB and ODHS recommend posting advisories in recreation waters under four circumstances: (1) if "scum is present associated with toxigenic species"; (2) if scum is not present, but the density of Microcystis or Planktothrix is 40,000 cells/ml or greater; (3) if scum is not present, but the density of all potentially toxigenic BGA is 100,000 cells/ml or greater; and (4) If the concentration of total microcystin is greater or equal to 8 ppb or if anatoxin-a is detected.

Posting Removal Guidelines - Updated July 2010

This general approach may be useful in determining when to lift warning advisories:

• If posting occurred due to visible scum – wait two weeks (there should be no visible scum recurrence during this time) before lifting the advisory.

• If posting occurred due to exceeding a cell count guideline – wait two weeks after cell count falls below the recommended guideline (there should be no visible scum recurrence during this time) before lifting the advisory.

• If posting occurred due to exceeding a toxin concentration guideline – wait 1 week after the toxin concentration falls below the recommended guideline (there should be no visible scum recurrence during this time) before lifting the advisory.

About Blue-Green Algae

Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) are a form of bacteria. Surface scums of blue-green algae are common in the summer months within reservoirs and along the Klamath River. Exposure to blue-green algae can cause rashes, skin and eye irritation, allergic reactions, gastrointestinal upset, and other effects. At high levels, exposure can result in serious illness or death. Small children and dogs are particularly susceptible due to their small body size and their potential to ingest water while recreating.

In an effort to better inform the public and tribal communities regarding the current locations and toxicity levels of blue-green algae blooms, members of the Klamath Basin Monitoring Program have developed the "Blue-green Algae Tracker" providing direct access to the most up-to-date monitoring data from the current monitoring season. The "Blue-green Algae Tracker" will eventually include historic data dating back to 2005. For a more detailed analysis of previous sampling seasons, please refer to the following document:

Toxigenic Microcystis aeruginosa bloom dynamics and cell
density/chlorophyll a relationships with microcystin toxin in the Klamath River, 2005-2008.

Blue-green Algae Monitoring

Blue-green algae is monitored for potential risk to public health and to establish baseline condtions for Microcystis aeruginosa cell counts and microcystin toxin levels. Public health monitoring is conducted by PacifiCorp, Karuk Tribe, and Yurok Tribe. Public health monitoring occurs within the reservoirs (Copco and Iron Gate) and Klamath River mainstem from May - November. Copco and Iron Gate reservoirs are monitored once a month in May and twice per month from June through November (omitting August and September). The Klamath River mainstem from below Iron Gate dam to the estuary are monitored twice per month in June, July and October and weekly in August and September. Baseline monitoring is conducted by U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, PacifiCorp, Karuk Tribe, and Yurok Tribe from below Link Dam to the estuary. Baseline monitoring occurs monthly and seasonally from May - November. The blue-green algae tracker consists of both public health and baseline monitoring data. This monitoring effort is part of the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement (KHSA) monitoring funded by PacifiCorp.

Click on map to enlarge.

The Statewide Guidance on Harmful Algal Blooms recommends the following:

• Avoid wading and swimming in water containing visible blooms or water containing algal scums or mats, which
are most often present on the shoreline.
• Take care that pets and livestock do not drink the water or swim through scums or mats, nor lick their fur
after going in the water; wash exposed pets in clean drinking water.
• If no algal scums or mats are visible, you should still carefully watch young children and warn them not to
swallow the water.
• Do not drink, cook or wash dishes with untreated river water.
• Consume fish only after removing guts and liver, and rinsing fillets in clean drinking water, mussels should
not be consumed.
• Get medical treatment right away if you think that you, your pet, or your livestock might have been
poisoned by blue green algae toxins. Be sure to alert your doctor or vet to possible contact with blue green
algae.
• If your pet exhibits these symptoms, collect and freeze vomit and/or diarrhea in clean plastic bags or
containers, to allow for analysis by State authorities.

Press Releases - 2011

August 17th, 2011 - North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board - Press Release

August 23rd, 2011 - Oregon Public Health Divison - Press Release

Blue-green Algae Offical Notifications - 2011

Current Posting Status:

Gerber Reservoir is De-Posted: January 31st, 2012

Klamath River Reservoirs are De-Posted: January 27th, 2012

Klamath River above I5 Bridge De-Posted: November 28th, 2011

Klamath River at Brown Bear De-Posted: October 26th, 2011

Blue-Green Algae Tracker

How to use the Tracker

About the Tracker

Having trouble? The tracker doesn't work well on older versions of Explorer. Try this LINK.

Blue-Green Algae

*Posting Guidelines - Updated July 2010 - Report (pdf)

Posting Removal Guidelines - Updated July 2010

About Blue-Green Algae

Blue-green Algae Monitoring

The Statewide Guidance on Harmful Algal Blooms recommends the following:

Press Releases - 2011

Blue-green Algae Offical Notifications - 2011

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

Related Links

Other useful sites

Klamath Basin Images

Klamath Basin Monitoring Program

Spring Meeting - April 4th and 5th, 2012

Call for presenters!

Directions:

From the North

From the South

Recommended Accommodations:

Meeting agenda and meeting materials will be posted soon...