Frequently Asked Questions

The most common type of cyanobacteria blooms in Grant County looks like green paint floating on the water.  Algae blooms can also be blue/green, red, or brown.  Not all algae blooms produce toxins and there is no way to tell if a bloom is toxic just by looking at it. One way to tell a blue-green algae scum from other types of algae or plants is with a “stick test”. If you can use a stick to pick up the mat or scum, and it has a stringy look, it is most likely filamentous algae or another aquatic plant. If you can’t pick up the algae or it just swirls in the water, it is likely blue-green algae. Below are examples of blue-green algae blooms from Grant County.

• Sudden and unexplained sickness or death of a dog or cat who has recently been in contact with fresh water such as a lake or pond, especially if it has algae on its mouth, legs or feet.
• Large number of dead fish, birds, or other animals.
• Skin rash on people after being in the water

As soon as you see a bloom or possible signs of exposure:

• Avoid all contact with the water.
• Keep pets and livestock away from the water.
• Call the Grant County Health District at 509-766-7960 and report the location.

Symptoms of toxic algae exposure may take 30 minutes to 24 hours to appear, depending upon the size of the person or animal, and the amount and type of toxin consumed. C Microsystin is a hepatotoxin (liver toxin). Exposure symptoms can occur hours or days after exposure:

• Skin rashes
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach cramps
• Jaundice (yellowing of skin and/or eyes)
• Severe thirst

Anatoxin or Saxitoxin are neurotoxins (nerve toxin). Exposure symptoms generally occur within 15 to 30 minutes, but may take longer to appear:

• Skin rashes
• Numbness of lips, tingling in fingers and toes, dizziness, stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Rapid/weak pulse
• Death