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<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> <a
href="http://www.times-standard.com/local/ci_3078018">http://www.times-standard.com/local/ci_3078018</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Article
Last Updated: 10/01/2005 12:10 AM <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-weight:bold'> Officials issue warning for high levels of toxic</span></font></b>
<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>blue-green algae</span></b> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>The
Times-Standard <br>
<st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Eureka</st1:place></st1:City> Times Standard
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>State and
federal officials are now warning fishermen and swimmers to <br>
avoid dangerous algae blooms in the <st1:place w:st="on">Klamath River</st1:place>.
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency and the North Coast Regional <br>
Water Quality Control Board said Friday that water samples from Copco <br>
and <st1:place w:st="on">Iron Gate</st1:place> reservoirs show high levels of
toxic blue-green algae, and <br>
mats of algae have also been found as far as 125 miles below the dams that <br>
create the reservoirs. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>”This
algae produces toxins that pose a significant potential public health <br>
concern,” said EPA water division director Alexis Strauss. “We
advise <br>
people to avoid all direct contact with <st1:place w:st="on">Klamath River</st1:place>
water while the <br>
bloom is occurring.” <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>The
nutrient-rich Klamath River supports blue-green algae growth, as do <br>
the warm, calm waters of <st1:place w:st="on">Iron Gate</st1:place> and Copco
reservoirs. The extent of <br>
the blooms, and their toxicity, were not known until studies were <br>
conducted this year by the Karuk Tribe. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>The
levels the Karuk Tribe found exceeded the World Health <br>
Organization standard for recreational use by as much as 468 times, said <br>
Karuk Water Resources Coordinator Susan Corum. These levels are <br>
among the highest recorded in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region>, she said. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Direct
ingestion of contaminated water or accidentally swallowing the <br>
water while swimming can cause serious health effects, the agencies said. <br>
The effects of ingesting the mycosystin toxic range from skin conditions <br>
to permanent organ impairment and death depending on exposure. <br>
Children and pets are especially at risk. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Symptoms
can include mild to severe eye irritation, allergic skin rash, <br>
mouth ulcers, fever, cold and flu-like symptoms, vomiting, diarrhea, <br>
kidney damage, liver damage or complete failure, and death. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>The
agencies recommend that people not drink or cook with <br>
contaminated water. People should avoid or minimize contact with <br>
contaminated waters. It is best of stay out of the water near algae blooms <br>
and to keep pets away. If people do come in contact with the water, wash <br>
thoroughly with clean water. Avoid eating fish caught during an algae <br>
bloom. Fishermen should clean fish with fresh water and dispose of the <br>
innards away from the river or where animals could eat them. Avoid <br>
irrigation with contaminated water. Report dead or distressed wildlife <br>
along the shoreline to local, state or tribal authorities. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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