It’s that time of the year when algae tends to surface in Reston’s lakes.
Reston Association reported yesterday (Monday) that “potentially harmful” blue-green algae was seen that morning in Lake Anne, advising community members to avoid contact with the lake’s waters.
The algae is being monitored by RA’s watershed staff, though photos shared by the homeowners’ association suggest the current blooms aren’t as prolific as they were last year.
“While swimming is never permitted in the lake, it is additionally recommended to keep dogs from the lake water at this time,” RA said in a Facebook post. “There are currently no restrictions on boating or fishing, but it is advised to avoid contact with lake water and rinse off as soon as possible should you or a pet come in contact with lake water.”
Algal clumps were also seen earlier this summer in Audubon and Newport lakes. The Audubon bloom has been emerging “on and off for a few weeks,” RA communications director Cara O’Donnell says.
While algae occurs naturally and is usually harmless, blue-green algae are cyanobacteria that can be toxic to humans and animals when ingested. Possible symptoms of exposure include skin rashes, tingling or burning, coughing, and stomach issues, such as nausea or vomiting, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
Blooms form when the bacteria grow quickly in a concentrated area of water, often fueled by minimal wind, warm water, and plentiful sunlight and nutrients, such as phosphorus, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services says.
The VDH has a Harmful Algae Bloom Task Force that responds to complaints about blooms in public waters, like Lake Anna, where unsafe concentrations of algae have prompted swimming advisories. However, Reston’s lakes are privately owned by RA and not monitored by the health department.
Overall, the blooms spotted around Reston haven’t been widespread, and RA’s watershed staff say this algal season has been “minor” compared to previous years, according to O’Donnell.
“We are monitoring the blooms; they often dissipate within a few days, but some of the unstable weather can resurface them,” O’Donnell said. “…If blooms become more widespread or problematic, more information and closures would be quickly provided by the RA watershed experts.”
A Lakes Equity Working Group created by RA to study the usage and accessibility of Reston’s lakes is currently conducting a survey to collect community input. Anyone who completes the survey before this Friday (Aug. 23) could win a raffle prize.
