Toxins Detected In Algae At Lady Bird Lake

AUSTIN, TX — Watershed Protection Department officials on Monday said they have received results from recently tested algae that showed the presence of toxins at Lady Bird Lake.

The algae sampled on July 14 by University of Texas at Austin researchers confirmed the presence of dihydroanatoxin from Festival Beach and Red Bud Isle. As a result, officials said additional signage is being placed along Lady Bird Lake to help alert the public to the presence of toxins.

"We recommend that dog owners not allow their pets to swim in or drink from Lady Bird Lake. People should avoid handling the algae," officials wrote. The same toxins led to the deaths of several dogs last summer.

Previous coverage:

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

Dihydroanatoxin is one of several possible toxins that cyanobacteria, also called blue green algae, can produce, officials explained. It is the same toxin that was produced last year.

The toxin is contained within the algae and has not been released into the water, officials added. "This is important because it means that currently exposure to the toxin would occur through touching or ingesting the algae, not through contact with the water."

Watershed Protection Department officials said they will continue weekly monitoring of algae at four locations on Lady Bird Lake, including Red Bud Isle, the mouth of Barton Creek, Vic Mathias Shores and Festival Beach.

Information about water temperature, flow, the presence of algae and testing results are available via the city of Austin.

Dogs were particularly vulnerable to the harmful algae bloom that occurred last year, with at least five dogs dying after swimming in Lady Bird Lake during the summer of 2019. Dog owners should take their pets to a veterinarian immediately if their dogs become sick after swimming in Lady Bird Lake, officials advised.

Pet owners also should report illness to 3-1-1. Symptoms of exposure may include:

•     Excessive drooling, vomiting and diarrhea.
•     Foaming at the mouth.
•     Jaundice and hepatomegaly
•     Blood in urine or dark urine.
•     Stumbling.
•    Loss of appetite.
•   Photosensitization in recovering animals.
• Abdominal tenderness.
•   Progression of muscle twitches.
• Respiratory paralysis.

At this time, officials said, the risk to people appears low and people may continue to boat and fish, following COVID-19 restrictions in the “STAY HOME, MASK AND OTHERWISE BE SAFE” order. People should avoid handling the algae and rinse off if they fall into the water. Swimming has been banned in Lady Bird Lake since 1964, officials added.