Stay Out Of The Charles River: Toxic Algae Blooms Detected

BOSTON, MA — Don't touch the Charles - or let your dog go into The Charles River right now. That's the message out of the Department of Conservation and Recreation Aug. 1, after high levels of blue-green algae that can be toxic to humans in high volumes were detected in the Charles River Lower Basin during a recent water sampling conducted by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

This particular type of algae called cyanobacteria can be toxic if ingested in high doses and can cause skin irritation and a rash after wading or swimming. And it can be pretty smelly (runners beware).

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Cyanobacteria blooms are fairly common in recent years. There were blooms reported last year and the year before. Phosphorus pollution that collect on roads and parking lots, and then drains into the Charles River through the storm drains (they go straight to the river) helps the blue-green sheets of algae grow.

The state will collect water samples on a weekly basis until cell counts drop to safe levels, the DCR announced in an emailed statement to folks on their email list. An advisory generally remains in effect until cell counts drop and remain at safe levels for two consecutive weeks.

Starting today, Tuesday, August 1, 2017, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is warning the public of a cyanobacteria bloom present within the Charles River Lower Basin in the Cities of Boston and Cambridge. During a bloom it is strongly advised that the public should not contact the water. Additionally, pet owners should keep their animals away from the shore line to prevent them from ingesting the water. The water body will be retested until cyanobacteria levels are within acceptable limits per Department of Public Health (DPH) regulations. With questions regarding cyanobacteria blooms, please contact the DPH at (617) 624-5757 or visit the agency’s algae webpage.

News of this bloom comes after after Shannon Beach and the Upper Mystic Lake was closed on account of the same issue, Patch reported.

Lest you think this algae bloom is a set back to the years of Charles River clean up, not so. The Environmental Protection Agency grades the quality of the water these days. And the river is usually considered safe for boating and reasonably safe for swimming (about 70 percent of the time). This isn't related to that kind tests the EPA does on the water, which looks at E. coli counts.

Isn't there a robot for that?

Other than staying out of the water, there's not much recourse once a bloom is present, say officials, other than waiting.

But this is not just something that's impacting the Boston area. Scientists around Lake Erie are looking at ways - including the use of a robot - to mitigate the dangers of the toxic blooms, including the use of robots, reports Wired Magazine.

Photo of the Charles River from the Boston University Bridge by Jenna Fisher/Patch