Officials: Algae bloom released toxins in Somerset County river lake

SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ)– Visitors of a local river lake are asked to steer clear of the water after a recent algae bloom was found to have released toxins.

Officials with the Army Corps of Engineers at the Youghiogheny River Lake have begun testing the water quality since the algae was seen on the weekend of July 27 and 28. Test results came back on Friday and showed that the algae do contain cyanobacteria, which have produced toxins in the water.

The Army Corps of Engineers has since closed off the spillway swim beach until further notice and urges any visitors to avoid getting in the water. Resource Manager Vince Klinkner said that the warm and dry weather conditions have made it possible for this kind of algae to bloom.

“What we are seeing is very low levels of toxins,” Klinkner said. “It ranges from no effect to skin irritation or to poisoning. It can even cause death in some cases if the toxin levels are high enough.”

Klinkner said that dogs are often at the biggest risk of getting sick due to the amount of water that they ingest while swimming.

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He said that more updates will be made available as they continue to test and monitor the water quality.

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