An area-wide drought from extended high temperatures and lack of rain this summer is resulting in lots of side effects – now including unwanted algae growth in streams and rivers.
The states of Virginia and Maryland have asked the public to cut back on their recreation activities along certain parts of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers because of health risks to people and pets.
Officials have warned that algal mats – large algae growths that float in water bodies, wash up on shore or sit on the bottoms of streams and rivers – now pose a toxin risk in the area rivers.
Very low water levels and high temperatures encourage the growth of the algae, which contains a bacteria that can be released if the algal mat is touched or disturbed.
Toxins from the mats can be fatal to dogs and other animals, and can be harmful to people.
Because water levels are so low in area rivers, algae is unavoidable in some stretches of the waterways.
In the Potomac, one of those areas is between Williamsport and Riley Lock. On the Shenandoah, health officials issued an advisory for the river near the town of Strasburg.
