Warning issued over toxic algae along Klamath River

The Klamath River is running green with toxic algae flowing from hydropower reservoirs. State officials plan to post warning signs along close to a 200-mile stretch of river next week.

Don't touch that brightly hued Klamath River water.

That's the warning set to be planted next week on posters from Iron Gate Dam down almost 200 river miles to where its water meets the Pacific Ocean. The warning about the dangers of blue-green algae comes from state officials and members of the Yurok tribe.
            
"The blue-green algae can produce harmful toxins," said Bob Klamt, executive officer for the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. "They can result in damage to livers and internal organs."

While the blue-green algae has bloomed in recent falls in reservoirs along the Klamath -- prompting the state to erect warning signs on their shores -- this is the first time the warnings will be posted on the free-flowing stretch of river, he said.

"We are finding blue-green algae through the entire river system," Klamt said.

High concentrations of the single-celled plant can be dangerous, he said. The regional water board deems water with more than 40,000 cells per teaspoon of water a health risk.

Samples taken by state and tribal scientists along the river have shown as much as 85,000 per spoonful.

While not all the algae on the river is toxic, it's hard to tell what is and isn't without putting samples under a microscope, said Harriet Hill, an environmental specialist with the Humboldt County health department.

"Therefore, we tell people to avoid all algae-infested areas," she said.

The agencies are warning against wading or swimming in the river, as well as drinking, cooking or washing with river water.

The toxins can be especially dangerous for children and pets, Hill said.

With warning signs set to go up along the river, one of those trying to get its dams removed was in Washington, D.C., on Friday, raising the alarm about the algae.

Regina Chichizola, director of Klamath Riverkeeper, an Orleans-based environmental group, said she met with federal legislators from around Northern California and Oregon.

With her, she said she brought photos showing the bright-green color of the river -- similar to antifreeze.

Chichizola is among those pushing to have dams along the river removed and cites the algae as one good reason to do so.

"You can't have these toxic reservoirs without the river becoming toxic, too," she said.

Reporter Dylan Darling can be reached at 225-8266 or at ddarling@redding.com.