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CLEAR Temp: 90 °F Wind: NW at 10 mph Friday, August 29, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend August 8, 2003 Diamond Lake algae diminishing By MARK FREEMAN Mail Tribune Diamond Lake’s blue hues have returned, but lingering concerns over toxic algae will keep the lake closed to swimming and water-skiing for at least one more weekend. Water tests showed only trace amounts of a toxic blue-green algae whose massive blooms have kept recreation restrictions in effect at this southwestern Douglas County lake since July 1, Umpqua National Forest officials said Thursday. But the blue-green Anabaena flos-aquae algae’s apparent die-off will not be enough to lift the restrictions because the toxins that can kill animals and sicken people can remain as long as 10 days after the die-off, Umpqua Forest spokeswoman Cheryl Walters said. If water samples taken today show similarly low algae levels, then water-skiers could be crisscrossing the lake perhaps as early as Monday or Tuesday, Walters said. Advertisement "If it validates (this week’s) numbers and the algae counts remain low, we’ll be comfortable in opening it up," Walters said. Thursday’s algae results were the first good news to hit the lake’s recreation industry in six weeks. Businesses like the Diamond Lake Resort rely heavily on visitors intent upon playing in or on the water, but concerns about the algae have kept them away by the hundreds. Resort marketing coordinator Rick Rockholt had hoped Thursday’s test would lead Umpqua Forest and Douglas County health officials to lift the restrictions, but he believes waiting one more weekend will dispel any health concerns for visitors. "In light of public safety, it’s the right decision to make," Rockholt said. "The last thing we want is for someone to go into the lake and have something happen to them. "We’ve had enough bad publicity," he said. "We don’t need someone getting hurt." The lake’s water woes can be traced to the explosion of illegally introduced tui chubs more than a decade ago. The chubs, likely brought by anglers who used them as bait, now number more than 30 million and have drastically altered the High Cascade lake. The chubs eat the zooplankton, which eat algae. With the zooplankton all but gone, the algae can bloom massively during hot, calm summer conditions. The algae release toxins, primarily when they die. The toxins can cause numbness in people and can be fatal in dogs, but there have been no known cases of sickness in the three summers of the lake’s algae blooms. This year’s bloom lingered in the absence of cool, windy weather that normally churns the lake and kills the algae. But Thursday’s results of water samples taken Monday showed as much as 90 percent less algae than last week. The tests are done at an Ohio lab and take about three days. Tests for the toxin take much longer, so health officials rely on the algae tests to gauge those levels, Walters said. At its height, the algae cast a fluorescent yellow glow in the sun. But now, the water is the icy blue visitors are used to seeing, Rockholt said. "The lake looks great," Rockholt said. "Finally, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel." Reach reporter Mark Freeman at 776-4470, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times