Harmful Algae In Delta: Labor Day Weekend Health Advisory

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — Contra Costa Environmental Health encourages anyone planning to boat or enjoy the water in or around the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta this Labor Day weekend to stay safe and avoid harmful algae blooms.

The public health warning comes as an East Bay Regional Park District advisory is in place because blue-green algae — cyanobacteria — was recently detected in the water at Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley at the kayak launch and around the fishing dock.

A bloom, or buildup, of blue-green algae creates a green, blue-green, white or brown coloring on the surface of slow-moving waterways.

Contact with such blooms can make people or pets very sick, county health officials cautioned in news release Thursday.

The California State Water Resources Control Board also found small amounts of cyanobacteria in water sampled in three other areas: Fourteenmile Slough/White Slough, Buckley Cove and the San Joaquin River at Windmill Beach.

Additionally, the California State Water Resources Control Board has posted a "caution" advisory around the mouth of Mormon Slough near the Morelli Boat Ramp due to the presence of cyanobacteria.

"Other waterways may also have cyanobacteria, but they’ve not been reported," said Karl Fischer, spokesperson for Contra Costa Environmental Health. "Whether or not there’s a posted advisory, protect yourself and your pets by rinsing off with fresh water after touching the water, and make sure dogs don’t drink the water or swim near algae blooms. Bring fresh drinking water for your pets. If you see large algae blooms in the water, do not swim and avoid contact."

More health-and-safety instructions for HAB advisories are posted at Cchealth.org/eh/hab.