Harmful Algal Blooms (can kill your dog or cat, etc.)

[donsu]

http://www.hiaz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/index.php


RSOE Emergency and Disaster Information Service
Budapest, Hungary
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2007-05-12 04:10:20 - Harmful Algal Blooms - USA

GLIDE CODE: HA-20070512-11288-USA
Date & Time: 2007-05-12 04:10:20
Area: USA, State of Nebraska, Carter Lake, Fremont Lake, Omaha


Description:

Nebraska state health officials on Friday issued a toxic algae alert for two lakes. Carter Lake and Fremont Lake No. 20 are not considered safe for swimming. Recreational boating and fishing are OK, as long as lake users make sure to avoid ingesting the water, officials said. The blue-green algae is particularly dangerous to pets. A number of animals died last year where the algae was found in the water.
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[Lone_Star_Dem]

1. The link won't open for me n/t

[donsu]

2. try this

http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/index.php

click on English

you have to reg. to get further info

[Lone_Star_Dem]

3. Thanks! I also found a link from KETV Omaha

http://www.ketv.com/news/13305860/detail.html

Also some information on exactly what toxic blue-green algae is:

What are blue-green algae?

Blue-green algae are bacteria that grow in shallow, warm, slow moving or still water such as fresh water lakes, ponds and wetlands. Their scientific name is cyanobacteria but they are more commonly known as pond scum. They are photosynthetic bacteria, which means they need light to survive. The first known species were blue-green in colour, which is how the algae got their name. The bacteria can range in colour from olive-green to red.
What are blooms?



When the conditions are favourable (hot, calm weather), most often in July and August, the numbers of algae can increase dramatically. This can create large numbers of blue-green algae called blooms. When the blooms rise to the surface of the water, they cover the surface of the water and can look like thick pea soup, often blue-green in colour.

Although these blooms occur naturally, water bodies enriched with plant nutrients from municipal, industrial or agricultural sources are more likely to have these growths.
more...
http://www.bchealthguide.org/healthfiles/hfile47.stm

Edit: added more information