When algal blooms are toxic, they can be harmful to the health of you, your family, your animals, & the Palouse ecosystem.
| Levels | Microcystin | Anatoxin-a | Cylindrospermopsin | Saxitoxin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Advisory | 8 ug/L | 1 ug/L | 15 ug/L | 75 ug/L |
| Closure | 2000 ug/L | 300 ug/L | Limit not set | Limit not set |
| Sample Date | Sample Location | Microcystin | Anatoxin-a | Cylindrospermopsin | Saxitoxin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/27/2025 | Granite Point | Not Detected | Not Detected | Not Tested | Not Tested |
If the first sample from a location tests negative for cylindrospermopsin and saxitoxin, subsequent samples from that location are not tested for these toxins.
Two samples taken a week apart have tested negative for the presence of toxins.
Cyanobacteria, also called blue-green algae, live in water bodies. While most are harmless, some produce toxins harmful to humans, pets, and livestock. Identifying toxic algae is challenging; caution is key around potentially contaminated water.
When you encounter these distinctive features and understand the seasonal patterns, you'll be better equipped to stay safe while enjoying the water.
Blue-green algal blooms typically manifest as a green film on the water's surface, resembling spilled paint. They can also appear brown, blue, or red.
These blooms are most common during the summer and fall months.
What to do if you think you have found a bloom.
Notify your local health jurisdiction about the bloom's location.
Keep yourself, children, pets, and livestock out of the water.
If you or your pets experience any of the following symptoms, seek immediate medical or veterinary attention.
Blue-green algae (also called cyanobacteria) is found in fresh water. Blue-green algae is natural, and a source of food and shelter for marine life. When conditions are right, blue-green algae can multiply and "bloom" into algal blooms. Harmful algal blooms can create toxins that are a threat to the health of people, animals, and the environment.
Not all blooms produce toxins. The only way to know if a bloom is toxic is by testing it. All blooms should be considered toxic unless they have been tested and are negative.
These blooms will appear on the surface of water as a scum, and are green, blue, brown, and/or sometimes red. Their appearance is often described as looking like spilled paint on the surface of the water.
To report a bloom in Whitman County, call our office at 509.332.6752 or email us at EH@whitmancounty.gov. Taking photos of the bloom is also recommended. You should also stay out of areas you believe have a bloom.
If you have any questions, please contact us at (509) 397-6280 or email us at EH@whitmancounty.gov.
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