Health advisories issued for Chuck Slough, PL Outlet

SANDPOINT — Harmful algae blooms have been detected in the Chuck Slough and Priest lake Outlet areas.

Panhandle Health District and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality have issued public health advisories Friday for the two areas. At Priest Lake Outlet, the advisory includes the area from Outlet Bay Road to the dam; at Chuck Slough, the algae is spread throughout the entire water body. PHD and DEQ are urging the public to use caution when recreating in or near the water, especially where ingestion is a risk.

Water quality monitoring confirmed the presence of cyanobacteria, also known as a harmful algae bloom or blue-green algae. 

Bodies of water that have confirmed HABs are tested by DEQ every 1-3 weeks depending on staff availability to confirm a HAB is still present. Active HABs are listed on the DEQ website and will be removed once bacteria levels reach a safe level. 

Caution should be taken anywhere the water appears discolored or murky as HABs can spread or move with wind and water currents, PHD officials said in a press release. HABs have the potential to produce dangerous toxins especially when accumulated in high concentrations. The physical appearance of these blooms can be unsightly, often presenting as discolored water, streaks or globs of scum and causing thick green mats along lake shorelines.

Pets, children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems are most at-risk of harmful exposure, officials said.

Those recreating in any of these bodies of water are advised to take precautions to avoid exposure to lake water appearing to contain a HAB. Private domestic water system owners utilizing the lake as a drinking water source are cautioned that potentially present toxins cannot be removed by boiling or filtering the water, officials said. If contact (swimming, bathing, or showering) has been made with water containing a HAB, it is recommended to wash off with fresh water.

If people choose to eat fish from the lake, it is recommended that they remove all fat, skin and organs before cooking, since toxins are more likely to collect in those tissues. 

Symptoms of exposure to algal toxins vary according to exposure. Symptoms include rashes, hives, diarrhea, vomiting, coughing, and/or wheezing. More severe symptoms affecting the liver and nervous system may result from ingestion of water. If symptoms persist, consult with your health care provider.

The public will be advised when the concerns no longer exists.

Information: bit.ly/2Wwm5Ns