Algal blooms love heat waves. When is Bay Area swimming dangerous for humans and pets?
As California continues to experience sweltering heat waves this summer, many of us might be tempted to seek out the nearest body of water for some refreshing respite from the high temperatures when they arrive. Unfortunately, this weather can also bring potential danger to those waters in the form of algae blooms that discolor our lakes and bays and pose serious health hazards for humans and animals. One such algae bloom in Discovery Bay, in eastern Contra Costa County, has already prompted the California State Water Resources Control Board to issue a danger advisory last week, warning of harmful algal blooms. … Down in Monterey County, officials also closed Lake San Antonio to the public on the heels of a massive fish die-off. While they are still waiting on the results of water testing, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said that oxygen depletion due to warm water may be to blame.
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