Grain-free Diets

Be aware - this is the time of year for toxic algae blooms

What you need to know before you head to the lake for a swim with your dog:

This is the time of year where the warmer temperatures and nitrogen rich stagnant waters are the perfect ingredients for a toxic algae bloom cocktail.

Harmful algae blooms are caused by the perfect storm of warm, slow moving water and nutrient pollution. Most of Oregon's mountain reservoirs have all three ingredients.  Because the high Cascades are rich in phosphorous, human activities such as logging and forest fires cause erosion and these nutrients end up washed into our rivers.  Nitrogen based fertilizers used on agricultural lands also end up in our waterways.  These conditions feed recurring algae blooms.

Lake Billy Chinook is a prime example of a heavily used recreational body of water that is plagued each summer with toxic algae blooms.  This is a man-made reservoir that is popular for water sports, with poor circulation and warm temperatures. If you or your pet ingest the water you could become ill.

The Oregon Health Authority reports, "Over the past 12 summers, Oregon Health Authority has issued 14 advisories for algae blooms in Central Oregon, spanning five lakes and reservoirs in the region. With increasing summer temperatures and warming rivers, more blooms are likely to occur."  So check the website for current cyanobacteria (blue-green) advisories: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/HEALTHYENVIRONMENTS/RECREATION/HARMFULALGAEBLOOMS/Pages/Blue-GreenAlgaeAdvisories.aspx

 

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