Clark County Public Well being is warning residents of latest risks associated to algae growths in native waterways. Benthic (that’s, on the backside of a physique of water) algal mats discovered alongside the Columbia River have been linked to the dying of two canine.
“What we’ve talked about in Clark County for several years is planktonic algae blooms. We’ve been monitoring those in Clark County since 2007. These are the blooms that we see that are mixed into the water column. They collect in scums on the surface of the water,” Maggie Palomaki, environmental well being specialist for the county, stated throughout a Wednesday presentation to the Board of Well being. “Benthic algae mats are a different type of harmful algae. We first tested these in Clark County in October 2024.”
Relatively than being dispersed by way of the water column, Palomaki stated, the algal mats connect to substrate on the backside of the water. When there’s an overgrowth of algae, the mats can detach and float to the floor.
“Since they are attached to the bottom of that body of water, they can appear in fast- or slow-moving water,” she stated. “They also have a different texture. They’re very slimy, kind of gelatinous, slippery. So very distinct from the planktonic algae blooms.”
Palomaki stated she obtained a name in October from a lady whose canine had died after being on Ackerman Island within the Columbia River close to Camas.
“The dog had a very sudden onset of symptoms, including tremors, salivation, stumbling, vomiting, and then they died shortly after that at an emergency veterinarian’s office,” she advised the council. “Fortunately for us, the vet recognized what might be happening and kept a stomach sample from that dog.”
In coordination between the Washington Division of Well being and King County Environmental Lab, Palomaki stated, the samples have been examined and located to include anatoxin-A and dihydroanatoxin, a toxin particularly related to animal circumstances. She stated the canine’s proprietor additionally skilled signs of numbness and tingling of the mouth and tongue, seemingly from publicity whereas making an attempt to resuscitate the canine.
After the pet proprietor reported the canine had largely stayed on shore and away from the river, further assessments have been completed of plant matter discovered within the canine’s abdomen. These assessments additionally confirmed excessive ranges of cyanotoxins.
In August, a canine was reported to have died from publicity to cyanotoxins in St. Helens, Ore.
“We were not aware and had not received any reports of this type of algae in Clark County waters until this event happened in 2024. This is new to all of us,” Palomaki stated. “Up to this point, our monitoring and education has been focused on the planktonic algae blooms that we see on the surface of the water. So we’re now asking ourselves, what can we do differently?”
Public Well being has posted momentary academic indicators in any respect 11 marinas and boat launches on the Columbia River and is creating new academic supplies and extra everlasting indicators particularly for benthic algae.
“We’ve also been adding that information to our website and updating our information map to include incidents related to benthic algae,” she stated.
Replace: Benthic refers to being discovered on the backside of a physique of water. Additionally, take a look at outcomes detected the presence of anatoxin-A. An earlier model of this story incorrectly recognized each phrases.
