Latest news with #parkOfficials
The Independent
04-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Urgent warning issued over popular US lake during July 4 celebrations
A toxic algae bloom, containing harmful cyanotoxins, has been detected in Lake Powell's Antelope Canyon, disrupting Fourth of July weekend recreation. The detected cyanotoxin levels are at the high end of safe exposure, posing risks such as liver and kidney failure, inflammation, and potentially death for humans and animals. Although Lake Powell remains open for recreation, park officials advise visitors to avoid swimming in affected water and not to boat on scummy areas to prevent inhaling airborne toxins. These harmful algal blooms are becoming more frequent and prolonged due to climate change, hotter temperatures, and nutrient run-off into water bodies. Exposure to cyanotoxins can occur through accidental ingestion or inhalation during recreational activities, with microcystin being a potent liver toxin and possible human carcinogen.
The Independent
03-07-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Toxic algae blooms detected in Lake Powell
A toxic Algae bloom, containing harmful cyanotoxins, has been detected in Antelope Canyon at Lake Powell, Arizona, impacting Fourth of July weekend recreation. The cyanotoxin levels are at the high end of safe exposure, posing risks such as rashes, organ failure, and potentially death for humans and animals through ingestion or inhalation during recreational activities. Although Lake Powell remains open, park officials advise visitors to avoid swimming in water with visible algal blooms and to refrain from boating on scummy water to prevent toxin exposure. Harmful algal blooms, like the one at Lake Powell, are becoming more frequent and persistent due to climate change, warmer water temperatures, and nutrient run-off. This issue is not isolated, with similar blooms affecting the recreation area last autumn and increasingly plaguing other bodies of water, such as Lake Erie, where they are lasting longer than before.
