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Caution advised in Austin waterways amid potentially toxic algae bloom
MassachusettsGDELTGDELT event0% biasedWed, Jun 10, 2026, 12:00 AM
0 of 15 sentences classified as biased · Model: roberta-anno-lexical-ft-v1
Caution advised in Austin waterways amid potentially toxic algae bloom.Current situation Mats of blue-green algae, which may be toxic, were recently observed by city staff on Lady Bird Lake and Lake Austin, according to the watershed protection department.Samples have been taken from the lakes for testing.The watershed department noted the algae may be present throughout both lakes and in other Austin waterways, and hotter weather this summer could lead the algae to spread further.Staying prepared Residents and their pets should avoid any contact with algae mats, the city advised.Residents should avoid entering any waterway with algae along the shoreline, stagnant or murky water, or scum or surface film.Residents are also cautioned to avoid going in water within three days of rainfall.Once in a lake or waterway, residents shouldn't drink natural water directly from that source.After swimming, residents should thoroughly wash their bodies and hair.Pets should also be rinsed, and owners should ensure animals don't lick their fur before washing.In case of illness after swimming, residents should immediately contact their doctor or veterinarian.Austin is also encouraging both human and animal algae-related illnesses to be reported directly to the city online.The approach The new mats of blue-green algae on Lady Bird Lake at Red Bud Isle appear similar to blooms that appeared in past years.Austin Watershed Protection previously initiated a five-year, $1.5 million pilot program to reduce algae growth, which involved applying lanthanum-modified clay to manage phosphorus in waterways' sediment.No treatments were applied this spring, as 2026 is a control year that'll be used to evaluate the pilot's effectiveness and cost benefits.