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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend October 6, 2006 Add bacteria to list of pests at Diamond Lake Blue-green algae levels top recommended levels for safety, officials issue warning By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune First, 90 million unwanted tui chubs. Then 107,000 pounds of chub-killing pesticide powder. Now, blue-green algae levels of 160,000 cells per milliliter have become the pest du jour at Diamond Lake. Umpqua National Forest officials Thursday issued a public-health advisory warning people and pets to avoid contact or ingestion of the lake's water because of high levels of Anabaena flos-aquae, which can produce toxins harmful to humans and animals. One water sample collected there Sunday showed 160,000 cells per milliliter of Anabaena, well above the threshold of 100,000 cells per milliliter at which state public-health officials recommend the advisory, said David Stone, a toxicologist with the Oregon Department of Health Services. Tests at two other lake sites showed levels of 65,000 cells per milliliter and 65 cells per milliliter of Anabaena, which is actually a bacteria but commonly referred to as blue-green algae. Advertisement The advisory recommends that people and pets avoid inhaling water droplets and skin contact. Drinking lake water also should be avoided because the Anabaena cannot be killed by boiling or removed by filters. Symptoms may include numbness, dizziness or rash. Children and pets were considered the most susceptible. State protocols recommend that advisories remain in place for two weeks after the algae dies off. The die-off releases toxins, which can take two weeks to dissipate. The Diamond Lake Resort remains open, and the north end of the Forest Service's Diamond Lake Campground also is open, Umpqua Forest spokeswoman Cheryl Walters said. Rick Rockholt, the resort's marketing manager, said the advisory won't hurt business there or interest in the lake. "There's not a soul out there now," Rockholt said. Since the lake's 90 million chub and trout were poisoned Sept. 14 with rotenone by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, no one has boated or fished the lake, Rockholt said. "The only boat on the lake was the guy taking the water samples," he said. Stone said he did not know if the rotenone treatment contributed to the algae bloom. Rockholt attributed the bloom to a steady stream of 70-plus degree days over the past three weeks in the High Cascades of eastern Douglas County. A similar advisory remains in effect for nearly Lemolo Lake, state health officials said. Reach reporter Mark Freeman at 776-4470, or e-mail [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing UK Homeowner Loans GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com