Blue-Green Algae Tracker

Current Posting Status:

No postings are warranted at the time  

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

May

Results of Cyanobacteria and Microcystin Monitoring in the Vicinity of the Klamath Hydroelectric Project: May 24, 2011

June

Results of Cyanobacteria and Microcystin Monitoring in the Vicinity of the Klamath Hydroelectric Project: June 6th - June 22nd, 2011

July

Results of Cyanobacteria and Microcystin Monitoring in the Vicinity of the Klamath Hydroelectric Project: July 5th, 2011

Karuk Tribe Klamath River Toxic Algae and Microcystin Monitoring Results through July 6th, 2011

Karuk Tribe Klamath River Toxic Algae and Microcystin Monitoring Results through July 20th, 2011

Yurok Tribe Klamath River Toxic Algae and Microcystin Monitoring Results through July 20th, 2011

Results of Cyanobacteria and Microcystin Monitoring in the Vicinity of the Klamath Hydroelectric Project: July 18th, 2011

August

Yurok Tribe Klamath River Toxic Algae and Microcystin Monitoring Results through August 10th, 2011

Karuk Tribe Klamath River Toxic Algae and Microcystin Monitoring Results through August 10th, 2011

Results of Cyanobacteria and Microcystin Monitoring in the Vicinity of the Klamath Hydroelectric Project: August 8th, 2011

Yurok Tribe Klamath River Toxic Algae and Microcystin Monitoring Results through August 18th, 2011

Karuk Tribe Klamath River Toxic Algae and Microcystin Monitoring Results through August 17th, 2011

Yurok Tribe Klamath River Toxic Algae and Microcystin Monitoring Results through August 24th, 2011

Karuk Tribe Klamath River Toxic Algae and Microcystin Monitoring Results through August 24th, 2011

Results of Cyanobacteria and Microcystin Monitoring in the Vicinity of the Klamath Hydroelectric Project: August 22nd, 2011

Karuk Tribe Klamath River Toxic Algae and Microcystin Monitoring Results through August 31st, 2011

September

Yurok Tribe Klamath River Toxic Algae and Microcystin Monitoring Results through September 1st, 2011

Karuk Tribe Klamath River Toxic Algae and Microcystin Monitoring Results through September 7th, 2011

Yurok Tribe Klamath River Toxic Algae and Microcystin Monitoring Results through September 7th, 2011

Karuk Tribe Klamath River Toxic Algae and Microcystin Monitoring Results through September 14th, 2011

Yurok Tribe Klamath River Toxic Algae and Microcystin Monitoring Results through September 14th, 2011

Results of Cyanobacteria and Microcystin Monitoring in the Vicinity of the Klamath Hydroelectric Project: September 7th and 15th, 2011

Karuk Tribe Klamath River Toxic Algae and Microcystin Monitoring Results through September 21st, 2011

Yurok Tribe Klamath River Toxic Algae and Microcystin Monitoring Results through September 21st, 2011

Karuk Tribe Klamath River Toxic Algae and Microcystin Monitoring Results through September 28th, 2011

Yurok Tribe Klamath River Toxic Algae and Microcystin Monitoring Results through September 28th, 2011

Results of Cyanobacteria and Microcystin Monitoring in the Vicinity of the Klamath Hydroelectric Project: September 22nd and 28th, 2011

October

Karuk Tribe Klamath River  Toxic Algae and Microcystin Monitoring Results through October 5th, 2011

Yurok Tribe Klamath River Toxic Algae and Microcystin Monitoring Results through October 5th, 2011

Results of Cyanobacteria and Microcystin Monitoring in the Vicinity of the Klamath Hydroelectric Project: October 6th, 2011

Karuk Tribe Klamath River Toxic Algae and Microcystin Monitoring Results through October 12th, 2011

Yurok Tribe Klamath River Toxic Algae and Microcystin Monitoring Results through October 12th, 2011

Kaurk Tribe Klamath River Toxic Algae and Microcystin Monitoring Results through October 19th, 2011

Yurok Tribe Klamath River Toxic Algae and Microcystin Monitoring Results through October 19th, 2011

Karuk Tribe Klamath River Toxic Algae and Microcystin Monitoring Results through October 26th, 2011

Results of Cyanobacteria and Microcystin Monitoring in the Vicinity of the Klamath Hydroelectric Project: October 19th and 26th, 2011

November

Yurok Tribe Klamath River Toxic Algae and Microcystin Monitoring Results through November 16th, 2011

Results of Cyanobacteria and Microcystin Monitoring in the Vicinity of the Klamath Hydroelectric Project: November 14th, 22nd, and 29th, 2011


 


Related Links

California Department of Public Health

Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment

 

California State Water Resources Control Board

North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board Press Releases

Siskiyou County Public Health Services

Oregon Department of Health Services

Other useful sites

North American Lake Management Society

Center for Disease Control

 

Committees

KBMP Committees - Roles and Responsibilities

KBMP members

Participate in full group meetings, serve on KBMP committees, implement water quality monitoring plan, submit data to database, provide input when requested and participate in decisions.

Steering Committee

Steering Committee membership reflects the diversity in the basin, with the composition of members including, federal, state (Oregon and California), tribal, non-profit, and private enterprises. The Steering Committee facilitates full group meetings; sets meeting agendas; and guides the KBMP as a whole in an effort to keep workflow going outside of full group meetings. The Steering Committee makes decisions regarding external communication and protocols regarding internal policies and procedures. The steering committee works with the various committees and KBMP staff in an effort to implement the mission and the vision of the program. The Steering Committee defines and applies criteria for disbursement of funds, prioritizes program elements, and provides long-term strategies for program success.

The Steering Committee operates through consensus and collaboration. Each member has equal voice. The chair, co-chair and secretary of the committee shall be elected every year. The role of the chair confers no additional powers or privileges; the co-chair may serve as an alternate to the chair. The role of the chair is to facilitate the meetings and uphold the gradients of agreement. The role of the secretary is to take meeting notes and distribute to members and post on the website, if appropriate. The secretary also records meeting notes at the annual member meeting and facilitates the approval process prior to distribution.

Database / Digital Library Committee

The Database / Digital Committee reviews the KBMP database and digital library for content and design and provides recommendations to the database coordinator. The database coordinator serves as chair of the database committee.  Please refer to the database SOP for a more detailed description of the role of the Database / Digital Library Committee (http://www.kbmp.net/documents).

Monitoring Plan Committee

The  monitoring plan committee is responsible for reviewing, updating and maintaining the QAPrP and the various associated Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on an  as needed basis.  The monitoring plan committee is responsible for the development of the water quality monitoring program plan.  The monitoring plan committee coordinates with KBMP staff to develop the technical content of the monitoring plan and makes recommendations to the Steering Committee regarding the prioritization of the various components of the monitoring plan.  Please refer to the Monitoring Plan for a more detailed description of the role of the Monitoring Committee (http://www.kbmp.net/documents).

Funding / Strategic Plan Committee

The funding / strategic plan committee identifies funding sources in an effort to implement KBMP program elements, special studies and monitoring plan objectives with the direction of the KBMP steering committee and membership.  Please refer to the Strategic Plan for a more detailed description of the role of the Funding / Strategic Plan Committee. (http://www.kbmp.net/documents).

Blue-green Algae Committee

The blue-green algae committee coordinates BGA monitoring activities, implements protocols for listing and delisting of water bodies, share BGA monitoring data and implements the California / Oregon public health guidance regarding BGA blooms.  Please refer to the KBMP website for a more detailed description of the role of the Blue-green Algae Committee (http://www.kbmp.net/collaboration/klamath-blue-green-algae-workgroup).

Communication Committee

The communication committee implements the KBMP communication and outreach plan and oversees the KBMP website and newsletter content. Please refer to the Communication Plan for a more detailed description of the role of the Communication Committee. (http://www.kbmp.net/documents).

Work Groups

Work groups are comprised of experts in a particular field and advise the steering committee. For example, work groups may include the, Klamath Fish Health workgroup and the Tribal Water Quality workgroup.