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72 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, September 11, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend August 17, 2004 Lake of the Woods water deemed safe Toxic algae was suspected after one dog became sick By PAUL FATTIG Mail Tribune Water samples from the Lake of the Woods indicate the lake’s water is plenty safe for your pooch. The water-quality question surfaced when a Talent woman said her dog became sick after drinking from the popular mountain lake on July 31. A Medford veterinarian who treated the dog told the Mail Tribune that it was likely a toxic reaction to ingesting a large quantity of blue-green algae. But samples taken Aug. 10 by the Cascade Research Group which tests water quality at several mountain lakes for the U.S. Forest Service indicate that algae levels in the lake are no health threat. The highest level found was 633 cells per milliliter, according to the report. One sample had only 225 cells per milliliter. The public isn’t alerted until the levels reach 2,000 cells per milliliter. Advertisement "I was really surprised we even got those levels with the samples," said John Salinas, an environmental chemist with the research group. "When the algae gets toxic, the water gets a definite green color," he added, noting there was no color in the water. "We’ve never seen it get to that level at the Lake of the Woods." Salinas was called to take the samples after the agency became concerned that algae levels could be a problem. Blue green algae is measured by cell density. The Forest Service enforces swimming and wading bans when algae levels hit 15,000 cells per milliliter. A full ban on boating kicks in when levels hit 100,000 cells per milliliter. Known as Anabaena flos-aquae algae, it can cause numbness, tingling sensations and nausea in people who become sick from it. The bottom line, said Salinas who teaches chemistry at Rogue Community College during the school year, is that Lake of the Woods is safe for all comers. But he noted that algae blooms in Southern Oregon can be a potential problem during summer heat waves in some lakes and slow-moving streams. Diamond Lake was temporarily closed to swimmers and water skiers last summer by the Forest Service because of a toxic algae bloom. Visitors were also urged to keep their pets away from the lake. No restrictions or closures have been required this summer in area mountain lakes. Reach reporter Paul Fattig at 776-4496 or e-mail him at [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities