ROSEBURG, Ore. (AP) — A blue-green algae bloom in a popular Oregon tourist destination has put watersports on hold.
The Roseburg News-Review reports the algae bloom at Diamond Lake and the South Umpqua River have led health officials to warn visitors not to drink the water, swim in the lake or inhale droplets while boating or water skiing.
The toxins in blue-green algae can’t be filtered out by boiling water, and most private water treatment systems aren’t capable of removing the toxins.
The invasive fish species tui chub eats zooplankton, which eats the algae. Other Oregon resorts that have removed tui chub report no problems with blue-green algae.
