Toxic Algae Bloom Reported In Reston Lake

RESTON, VA -- A potentially toxic algae bloom has been reported on Lake Thoreau, and the Reston Association is monitoring the situation.

RA said in a statement that it appears the bloom is from the Planktothrix rubescens algae, which appears purple in color.

"This uniquely purple-colored algae has appeared recently as a result of the heavy rains washing different types of nutrients and sediment into the lake," the statement reads. "It should dissipate on its own, but Reston Association staff will continue to monitor the situation."

RA advises people and pets to "avoid ingesting water from the lake."

RA reported the bloom on Aug. 10. Mike Leone, the association's spokesman, told Patch that they are continuing to monitor the situation.

"During a recent inspection of Lake Thoreau by RA’s Environmental Resources staff, the team noticed the usual algae in the eastern coves," Leone said. "The algae in the eastern cover area is typical because the area experiences little wind action and boats tend to block the movement of water out of the cove. In general though, the recent rains have been doing a good job flushing the planktothrix algae out of the lake. At the present time, RA continues to monitor the lake and we have no plans to anything more than continue to monitor the situation at this time."

A blue-green algae bloom formed on Lake Audubon back in October 2015. Cooler weather caused the algae to eventually dissipate.

STUART, FL - JULY 13: Green algae is seen in the St. Lucie River
near Phipps Park on July 13, 2018 in Stuart, Florida. Water releases
which carry the green algae from Lake Okeechobee resumed Friday morning
into the Caloosahatchee River and into the St. Lucie River at Port
Mayaca. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)