Red Bud Isle Reopens After Toxic Algae Scare

AUSTIN, TX — Austin Parks and Recreation Department officials have reopened Red Bud Isle three months after its closure after several dogs died after ingesting toxic blue-green algae.

In a City of Austin advisory, parks officials said no visible signs of blue-green algae floating on the water's surface exist, and water samples taken Nov. 12 registered a lack of toxins. "The abundance of algae on the lake has varied over the past four months, peaking in August with a second, lower peak in October," parks officials wrote. Moreover, officials said, there were no visible blue-green algae mats on subsequent testing Nov. 12.

As a result, the site was reopened at noon on Friday after having been closed since early August.

Despite the reopening, city officials said dog owners should note the harmful algae could reappear at any time and in any part of the lake. The chance of its reemergence is likelier during long periods of hot, dry weather — ideal conditions for the algae to bloom. As an added precaution, city crews have installed warning signs at the site at locations where blue-green algae was previously found, according to the advisory.

Previous coverage:

• Dogs' Deaths Led To Animal Ban At Lady Bird Lake In Austin
• Austin Woman Describes Dog's Death At Algae-Infested Lake
  
• Officials Find More Deadly Algae In Austin Waterways

A panic broke out among dog owners when at least three canines died after ingesting water containing the algae toxin over the summer. The animals' deaths prompted the closure of Red Bud Isle on Aug. 7.

Wathershed Protection Department officials said they detected neurotoxins in several algae samples taken from three locations at the lake from August to October. Officials noted the algae-emanating neurotoxin that killed the dogs was inherent to the plant itself rather than suffusing the water. As a result, swimming by people were allowed even at the height of the scare.

Despite the inlet's reopening, pet owners assume a level of risk in taking their animals to the area: "Dog owners should be aware that all natural bodies of water pose a level of risk," officials wrote. "Allowing dogs to swim in Lady Bird Lake, is done at the owners own risk."

According to the Red Bud Islewebsite, the area features an off-leash dog park. As cover art, a pair of dogs are shown — one on the water's edge, the other at a deeper level — after presumably having frolicked at the site.