Toxic Algae Bloom Hits Second Southern California Lake

SAN BERNARDINO (CBSLA.com) — State water officials have issued a no-swimming advisory for a second Southern California lake due to a toxic algae bloom.

The water at Silverwood Lake located above Crestline in the San Bernardino Mountains was closed Thursday to all water activities, including swimming, fishing and boating, in order to allow officials to treat the water for blue-green algae blooms.

According to the state Department of Water Resources, sunlight, warm temperatures, nutrients in the water and calm conditions can contribute to algal blooms.

Exposure to the toxins produced by these algal blooms can cause skin rashes, eye, nose, mouth or throat irritation, headache and gastrointestinal upset. Dogs can also suffer similar symptoms and even death if they ingest the water or lick their fur after contacting the affected water.

Just last week, Pyramid Lake in the Los Padres National Forest – 120 miles away – reopened after being closed to all water activities for more than 10 days due to a similar toxic algae bloom. Two more lakes in Northern California have also been affected by similar algae blooms.