Toxic Algae Blooms

Current Toxic Algae Updates on the
Columbia River

Update: September 19, 2024

The water at Howard Amon Park and Columbia Point Marina was tested on 9/16/24 to ensure the safety of the swimmers participating in the IRONMAN 70.3 competition on 9/22/24. The results are shown below.
Toxins are well below the recreational limits.

Sample Location	Sample Collection Date	Sample Analysis Date	Anatoxin-a (ppb)	Microcystins (ppb)
Howard Amon	9/16/24	9/18/24	0.095	<MDL
Col. Point Marina	9/16/24	9/18/24	0.080	<MDL

<MDL=Less than Minimum Detection Limit (Below what the instrument can reliably measure)

The state recreational threshold for Anatoxin-a is 1.0 ppb (ug/L)

The state recreational threshold for microcystin is 8.0 ppb (ug/L)

“Warning” signs are only posted when the state recreational threshold has been exceeded

The next routine sampling event will occur on September 23, 2024, and results will be posted on this website on September 25^th or shortly thereafter.

Please Note: BFHD lab toxin results are considered PRELIMINARY. If substantial quantities of toxins are detected, BFHD will send the sample to the King Co Environmental Lab (KCEL) for confirmation and precise quantitation. Warning signs along the river will typically NOT be posted until we have precise results from KCEL.

BFHD Sampling Sites Map

Background
Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are bacteria which have some of the characteristics of plants. They are found throughout the world on land and in lakes, rivers, and ponds, and in estuaries and seawater (oceans). Thought to be caused in part by global warming, all over the world, more and more water bodies are seeing large areas of growth or algae blooms. These blooms are important because the bacteria produce toxins that affect water quality, ecosystem stability, surface drinking water supplies and public health.

During early fall of 2021, portions of the shores of the Columbia River that flow through the Tri-Cities area (Richland, Kennewick and Pasco) were closed after the deaths of several dogs who had been exposed to toxic algae while along the shoreline.

In Benton and Franklin Counties, BFHD was aware of this issue occurring in local lakes and rivers. What made this incident in 2021 unique was that toxin-producing blooms had not been found in the flowing waters of the Columbia River. Of concern was that the area in which the blooms appeared to be occurring was the same area where the cities of Richland, Kennewick and Pasco have water intakes for their drinking water treatment facilities. BFHD works closely with these utilities to make sure that the drinking water is safe.

While not all algae blooms produce toxins, but there is no easy or quick way to know if a bloom contains harmful toxins. Activities that can expose you to toxic algae are swimming, boating or fishing. During these activities, exposure to toxic algae typically occurs when the toxins are swallowed, or one inhales water spray with the toxins. By far, swallowing is the most common way to be exposed.

Is it safe to eat fish from rivers and lakes that have algae toxins in it? Click here to learn more.

BFHD always urges dog owners to be cautious when visiting a shoreline with your dog, follow these guidelines if your dog goes in the water:

- Do not let them eat or chew on clumps of algae
- Do not let them lick their fur
- Rinse them with clean water after swimming
- Rinse your hands and any exposed skin