Pyramid Lake- Toxic algae in bloom

[JayDubP]

Since I am fairly new to the Reno area I don't know if this is abnormal,
but with the season opening in 2 weeks it might be something to monitor.

Article from today's Reno newspaper:


15 Sept 2021

Algae bloom at Pyramid Lake could be toxic to humans and pets
Jim Krajewski
Reno Gazette Journal

The annual algae bloom at Pyramid lake is causing the water to be off-colored and could be toxic.

Some beaches could be closed as a results of the blue-green algae bloom.

The Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe says the blue-green algae bloom, also known as cyanobacteria, can produce several types of toxins that could affect the liver, nerves, skin, stomach and intestines.

These toxins can be harmful to humans, pets and wildlife.

More:Virginia Lake algae bloom dangerous to people and pets, city warns

The combination of nutrients, temperature and light can result in rapid growth of algae until it forms a bloom. The bloom rises to the top of the water and forms a surface scum.

The tribe advises people to avoid or minimize contact with the water showing the heavy bloom and to move to areas with cleaner water.

Other safety tips:

After swimming, vigorously towel dry off and rinse with fresh water. Towel dry pets that have been in contact with the water.
Avoid drinking the water or allowing pets to drink it.
If you or your pet become ill or develop a rash after contact with the bloom, seek medical or veterinary attention.
Report health concerns to the Pyramid Lake Natural Resources department at 775-574-0101, ext. 13.

Fishing for Lahontan Cutthroat Trout opens Oct. 1 at Pyramid Lake and continues through June 30.

Fishing for Sacramento perch is open year-round.

[guido]

Too many of our local lakes and ponds are getting this too.

It is a completely man made problem. We need to get folks to stop fertilizing their lawns and not fixing septic system leaks...

[FREEDOM-FLYFISHER]

The annual algae bloom at Pyramid lake is causing the water to be off-colored and could be toxic.

Key words "annual", and "could be".
It's nothing out of the ordinary. It's natural. Algae blooms happen every season on lakes all over the planet.
We live in a world of 24/7/365 news and the talking heads have to create content and stories to feed that beast/
Much ado about nothing.

[Woodman]

Key words "annual", and "could be".
It's nothing out of the ordinary. It's natural. Algae blooms happen every season on lakes all over the planet.
We live in a world of 24/7/365 news and the talking heads have to create content and stories to feed that beast/
Much ado about nothing.

So it's not really harmful? Kind of like COVID-19 then.

[guido]

It kills dogs and small children who get it in their mouths. Not harmful at all apparently...

[FREEDOM-FLYFISHER]

It kills dogs and small children who get it in their mouths. Not harmful at all apparently...

lol, You are exaggerating. It doesn't just kill dogs and small children. Where in the article is that stated? The article clearly states multiple times that the water is not currently toxic.
If the water does becomes toxic don't let your dog or kids go in the water or drink the water. Actually, if the water does become toxic they will close the lake to all use as they have done in the past just last year 2020. So you won't even be able to go to the lake and there is zero no chance you can be inadvertently harmed by the water. I live right across the street from Virginia Lake for 7 years. Every year we have the so called, "TOXIC" algae bloom and the news on it. No one has died. No one has gotten sick.

Did you read this part?
"After swimming, vigorously towel dry off and rinse with fresh water. Towel dry pets that have been in contact with the water.
Avoid drinking the water or allowing pets to drink it."

They are saying you can still swim and to avoid drinking the water or allowing pets to drink the water......it is clear from the article the water is not toxic and that you can have contact with the water and even enjoy swimming, jetskiing, wake boarding etc.....truth is.....it's really nothing to get worked up about. Pyramid is fine.

[guido]

Just read the science:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4344628/

[FREEDOM-FLYFISHER]

So it's not really harmful? Kind of like COVID-19 then.

Every year Pyramid and lakes all over the world have naturally occurring blue/green algae blooms that can potentially become toxic. I fish many lakes and every year the blue green algae is thick, a solid layer on the surface.
I never said it couldn't become harmful. I said key word, "annual and "could be" as in it "could be" harmful and it occurs "annually" naturally every year.

So in answer to your question, "So it's not really harmful? Kind of like COVID-19 then" ....the answer would be no it's not harmful. The article clearly states this multiple times, that it is not currently harmful, that it is not currently toxic.
If you drink the water it "could be" harmful if it becomes toxic. So don't drink the water should it become toxic.
Make sure your pet/kids don't go in the water and don't drink the water should it become toxic.
So it's very easy to avoid any harm.

[FREEDOM-FLYFISHER]

ROFLOL!!!!!!!.....Hilarious stuff....It's like a bunch of old men at a nursing home that can't get along and have a civil conversation and just want to argue or can't refrain from arguing.
I guess that's the internet....it brings it out the worst of people hiding behind a keyboard.

HEY YOU KIDS!!!!!! Get off of my lawn!!!!
lol

[FREEDOM-FLYFISHER]

ROFLOL!!!!! SERIOUSLY, You truly are a bunch of angry old men looking for an argument. Did any of you read the first post and comprehend what you read?
Pyramid Lake is SAFE TO USE! The article clearly states that you can go swimming in the lake, water skiing, wake boarding, fishing etc. Did you not read and comprehend that or do you just want to get worked up and hysterical thinking you're going to die from toxic algae?

You know what? IF you are so scared ...don't go to Pyramid Lake or any body of water. Better yet, to be safe from blue green algae Microcystis don't go fishing anywhere.....because you know what? Blue green algae is everywhere it is all over the plant.

I tried to provide some interesting information (commentary/links) on blue green algae that I though some people might find interesting and informative. I bet many did. Unfortunately a few (#@%*%) felt the need to start an argument to fuel their need for self actualization.

Also, I flyfish several lakes that have massive intense sometimes toxic blue green algae blooms that cover the lake in a thick blue green algae pudding skin. I stated this in above posts. I fish these lakes in the heat of the summer august when there are thick blue green algae covering the surface of the lake. I fish these lake and it has amazing dry fly caddis hatches in the blue green scum at 8::00 am to 11:00 am in the right month and then there are callibaetis hatches that go off in the blue green algae from around 10:00am until around 11:00 am.