Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon health authorities are warning the public about an algae bloom in Morrow County.

Blue-green algae has been detected in the waters of the Willow Creek reservoir. That's according to the Oregon Health Authority's Public Health Division.

Jennifer Ketterman is the program director of that agency's Harmful Algae Bloom Surveillance Program. She says people need to steer clear of the water since blue green algae produces toxins harmful to humans.

"Children are at greater risk because they are more likely to swallow water when playing and because they put their fingers in their mouth without washing during and after playing outside. And also because they have a low body weight," she said.

People should also keep their dogs out of the water.

Ketterman says algae blooms usually occur in periods of warmer weather. They grow in shallow water where excess nutrients are present -- like phosphates and nitrogen. The algae bloom at Willow Creek is the sixth case to warrant an advisory in Oregon this year.