Read This Before Heading to Oakley

Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley has developed a bloom of blue-green algae that visitors should be cautious of, East Bay Regional Park District officials said today.

District officials said the algae did not register as toxic in initial tests, but it can unexpectedly become toxic. Officials are advising extra caution due to a toxic bloom on the Sacramento River.

The public is being asked to avoid the water and keep dogs out of it.

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Kayaking is still allowed there, as is fishing. Fish caught in the area can be consumed with proper cleaning, district officials said.

The district plans to continue closely monitoring water samples at Big Break Regional Shoreline to ensure the algae is not toxic.

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Due to the drought and unusually warm weather conditions, the district said blooms of blue-green algae that are toxic have been occurring more frequently in the region. The district banned swimming due to toxic algae at Lake Anza in Berkeley, Lake Temescal in Oakland, as well as Quarry Lakes and Shinn Pond in Fremont.

District officials also warn of this algae appearing in Lake Chabot in Castro Valley, though swimming is never allowed there.

--Bay City News