LAKE COUNTY — The Lake County Department of Water Resources announced Thursday that blue-green algae is the likely cause of turquoise colors recently reported atop portions of Clear Lake.
Water Resources Director Scott De Leon said that during the past week his office received “numerous inquiries regarding suspected paint or chemical spills along the shores of Clear Lake” in areas near Nice and Soda Bay.
Blue-green algae, which are “natural inhabitants of Clear Lake,” are the likely cause of the turquoise colors seen on the lake”s surface in those areas, De Leon said.
The algae do not typically bloom this early in the year, though their bloom occurs annually in Clear Lake, according to De Leon. “The combination of water clarity and warm February temperatures may have triggered the early bloom,” he said.
“Some types of blue-green algae can produce toxins, so as a precaution, it is recommended that individuals of all ages and all pets avoid swimming in or ingesting lake water in the affected areas,” De Leon said.
The Water Resources Department can be contacted for more information during regular business hours at 263-2344.
