Blue Mesa Reservoir (CO) Less Than 1/3 Full; Toxic Algae Bloom Prompts Health Warning
The long, hot summer season at Blue Mesa Reservoir has wound down, but the toll this year due to drought continues to be felt at the popular recreation area near Gunnison, with a new warning from the National Park Service about toxic algae that is blooming in one of the reservoir's basins.
The Park Service has determined that there are unsafe levels of cytotoxins in the parched Iola Basin area, at the reservoir's east end near Gunnison. Algae blooms — which are naturally occurring, but more prevalent in years when water levels are low and temperatures are elevated — can produce toxins that are harmful to people and animals.
"There's not much water in Iola Basin at this point," said National Park Service spokeswoman Sandy Snell-Dobert, adding that the smaller channels and warm pools are where you most often have algae blooms.
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Because of low water levels, though, many of the smaller boat launches weren't open this year at Blue Mesa, and right now all of their boat ramps are closed except one, at Elk Creek. Boating and fishing remain open throughout Blue Mesa, according to the park service. The algae is toxic to both humans and animals, and people or dogs who come into contact with the blue-green algae often need medical care for symptoms like nausea, vomiting, digestive distress, breathing problems or unexplained illness.
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https://www.gjsentinel.com/news/western_colorado/toxic-algae-bloom-a-potential-health-hazard-at-blue-mesa/article_803d08c2-c211-11e8-b275-10604b9f7e7c.html
