Public Warned Against Harmful Algae Blooms in Bidwell’s Horseshoe Lake
Officials from the Butte County Environmental Health have issued a warning to avoid the water in Bidwell Park’s Horseshoe Lake for fear that the algae blooms could pose a potential health risk.
While the Butte County Health Department has performed an assessment of the water, they won’t receive the results until June 28th and has asked the public to avoid the water until the results are analyzed. Not only are humans warned to avoid the water, dogs should not enter the water and people shouldn’t eat fish caught in the small, man-made lake.
Although not all algae blooms are toxic, health officials are taking every precaution to keep the public safe. Warning signs have been posted around the lake to caution visitors.
The type of algae in the water still has not been determined, but if the algae is harmful, people exposed to the water could see the following symptoms:
- Sore throat or congestion
- Coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing
- Red, or itchy skin, or a rash
- Skin blisters or hives
- Earache or irritated eyes
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
For more information on the danger of algae blooms, go here.
