SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — Government officials are investigating if toxic algae is blooming again at Lake Tahoe beaches.
Warning signs for algae went up Monday at El Dorado Beach in South Lake Tahoe. The signs are a precaution after a woman’s video announcing her dog died from suspected poisoning by blue-green algae went viral.
State water officials found no visible sign of a new algae bloom at the beach after testing multiple locations prior to the Fourth of July, but results of new water sample testing aren’t expected until later, so the signs will stay up until then, according to the city.
Blooms of blue-green algae are increasingly a seasonal problem for Tahoe and can create toxic bacteria in the water. The algae reportedly grows easier in Tahoe due to a warmer climate and invasive weeds, claims and snails adding more nutrients into Tahoe’s famously pure water.
"Blue-green algae is a natural part of Lake Tahoe's ecosystem,” said Tahoe Regional Planning Agency spokesman Jeff Cowen. "When it blooms in a high enough concentration, cyanobacteria form, that bacteria doesn't always reach toxicity levels that are harmful. Everyone needs to be careful and follow public health advisories, but Lake Tahoe is generally a safe and healthy place to recreate."
The woman in the viral video reported her dog, Cora, also swam at Nevada Beach. Nevada state officials are testing the water there, too. ABC10 has not independently confirmed the dog’s death was caused by blue-green algae.
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