Swimming advisory extended for part of Lake Anna, other sections added

LOUISA COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — The swimming advisory issued by the Virginia Department of Health for the North Anna Branch of Lake Anna has been extended, along with the addition of a swimming advisory for the Upper and Middle sections of the Pamunkey Branch of Lake Anna.

The department said the above areas are experiencing a harmful algal bloom . Some harmful algae can cause skin rash and gastrointestinal illness, like an upset stomach, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Visitors are urged to avoid swimming in these areas of the lake until algae concentrations return to safer levels.

The algal bloom is not, however, associated with the recent outbreak of E. coli in the Lake Anna area, as the pathogen is not associated with harmful algae blooms.

The following sections are under a swimming advisory due to unsafe levels of cyanobacteria:

North Anna Branch (advisory extended):

• Upper North Anna Branch: From the upper inundated waters of the North Anna arm, to include the “Sandbar” of the lake and downstream to the Route 522 Bridge.
• Upper and Middle North Anna Branch: From the Route 522 Bridge, to include Route 719 (Holladay Bridge), to Lumsden Flats at Rose Valley Drive

Pamunkey Branch (advisory added):

• Upper-Upper Pamunkey Branch: From the upper inundated waters of Pamunkey Branch to Runnymede Park
• Upper Pamunkey Branch: From Runnymede Park to the confluence with Terry’s Run
• Middle Pamunkey Branch: From confluence with Terry’s Run to Route 612 (Stubbs Bridge)

To prevent illness, people should:

• Avoid contact with any area of the lake where water is green or an advisory sign is posted, WHEN IN DOUBT, STAY OUT!
• Never allow children or pets to drink from natural bodies of water.
• Keep children and pets out of the areas experiencing a harmful algae bloom and quickly wash them off with plenty of fresh, clean water after coming into contact with algae scum or bloom water.
• Seek medical/veterinarian care if you or your animals experience symptoms after swimming in or near an algal bloom.
• Properly clean fish by removing skin and discarding all internal organs and cooking fish to the proper temperature to ensure fish fillets are safe to eat.
• Contact the Harmful Algal Bloom Hotline at 1-888-238-6154 if they suspect they experienced health-related effects following exposure to a bloom.
• Visit SwimHealthyVA.com to learn more about harmful algae blooms or to report an algae bloom or fish kill.

The department said follow-up monitoring above Route 208 on the lake is planned, weather permitting, for the week of Aug. 15.

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