Turner Lake recreational-use advisory lifted for cyanotoxins harmful to people, pets

The recreational-use advisory for cyanotoxins in Turner Lake has been lifted. The Oregon Health Authority announced Thursday the cyanotoxin levels were below recreational guideline levels for both people and dogs.

The recreational-use advisory was issued on July 18, when OHA advised visitors to avoid swimming and high-speed water sports in Turner Lake. The cyanobacteria blooms are most harmful to children and pets.

OHA advised visitors to be alert to signs of cyanobacteria blooms because blooms can develop and disappear on any body of water at any time when bloom conditions are favorable.

"When recreating, people and especially small children and pets should avoid areas where the water is foamy, scummy, thick like paint, pea-green or blue-green, or if thick brownish-red mats are visible or bright green clumps are suspended in the water," OHA officials said in a news release.

More information on signs of a bloom, exposures and symptoms can be found at bit.ly/3YedrBf .

Emma Logan is an outdoors journalism intern for the Statesman Journal. She can be reached at elogan@salem.gannett.com or on X @emmmalogan

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Turner Lake recreational-use advisory lifted for cyanotoxins harmful to people, pets