Oregon Public Broadcasting

Health officials are warning of high levels of algae in Haystack Reservoir near Madras. Haystack is the 19th body of water in Oregon to experience an algae bloom this summer. As Kristian Foden-Vencil reports, that’s 60 percent more than last year.

Algae blooms happen when water is warmer or has a high level of nutrients. Tiny organisms grow vigorously and excrete toxins that can cause serious illness.

Health officials have confirmed that water taken from Elk Creek on the Umpqua River contained high levels of algae. Several dogs have died in the area.

 Laura Boswell with the Department of Human Services says they don’t know why there’ve been so many blooms this year.

Laura Boswell: “We received a grant from the Centers for Disease Control over the next five years to look at whether these blooms are increasing in frequency or whether it’s just surveillance is better.”

There are algae warnings for reservoirs at Dexter, Dorena, Wickiup and Willow Creek, as well as at Paulina and Sru Lakes. People are advised not to drink water from these areas.