BRIEF: Water-quality health advisory issued for Little Camas Reservoir for blue-green algae

July 21--MOUNTAIN HOME -- The Central Health District has issued a water quality advisory for Little Camas Reservoir in Elmore County because of possible blue-green algae, says the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

High concentrations of a toxin-producing algae were documented at the reservoir. Actual toxin levels, however, were relatively low, Doug Megargle, regional fisheries manager, said in a statement.

"An advisory was issued on the basis of past hazards and the likelihood of toxins present in the near future," Megargle said.

Only a fraction of all water bodies in Idaho are monitored, says the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. A water body with no advisory is not an indication that a bloom or bacterial outbreak is not present.

"Be aware and 'when in doubt, stay out,'" says the IDEQ website.

___

(c)2017 The Times-News (Twin Falls, Idaho)

Visit The Times-News (Twin Falls, Idaho) at magicvalley.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.