Water Tests at South Lake Tahoe Beaches Find No Harmful Algae Blooms

Recent water tests at two South Lake Tahoe beaches did not detect harmful algae blooms (HABs) in the lake itself, following concerns raised by the death of a dog. However, very low levels of a cyanotoxin, saxitoxin, were found in a shallow pond at a beach on the Nevada side, officials reported.

The Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board and the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection conducted the tests on July 8 and 10 at El Dorado Beach in California and Nevada Beach in Nevada. These beaches were selected based on information provided by the dog’s owner during an interview with the California Interagency Harmful Algal Bloom-related Illness Workgroup.

“The agencies involved in water-sample testing cannot draw conclusions about the cause of death for the dog from these results; they can only speak to evaluating water quality and the presence of HABs,” stated the water agencies.

Despite the dog’s death, which prompted precautionary warning signs about potential HABs at El Dorado Beach in South Lake Tahoe, the test results confirmed that no advisory is necessary for the beach.

At Nevada Beach, while no advisory was needed for the lake itself, the agencies found very low levels of saxitoxin in a shallow pond that is not connected to the lake. The Lahontan Water Board and Nevada Division of Environmental Protection recommended additional fencing around this pond, which was only partially fenced off, to ensure safety.

The beaches, which are approximately a 15-minute drive apart, remain safe for public use according to the latest test results. The involved agencies will continue to monitor water quality to ensure the safety of both residents and visitors.