Water Resources Protection Program
2020 Clear Lake Monitoring Results NEW!!
How Tribal Traditional Uses Can Be Impacted by a HAB Event
Clear Lake Cyanotoxin Monitoring Program
Clear Lake Fish Cyanotoxin Study
Animal Vet Cyanotoxin Illness Fact Sheet
Physician Cyanotoxin Illness Fact Sheet
OEHHA ACTION LEVELS FOR CYANOTOXIN EXPOSURE
2014-2018 Clear Lake HAB Data Comparison
Presentations on the Cyanotoxin Monitoring Program:
Cyanobacteria Impacts to Tribal Water Uses
Tribal Water Quality and Cyanotoxins: Leading a Multi-Jurisdictional Monitoring Program
CLEAR LAKE CYANOTOXIN ISSUES
EPA
The Environmental Protection Department (Big Valley EPA) researches, plans, funds, and implements projects that protect the Tribe’s environment. Return to Big Valley EPA's page.
The Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians began a cyanobacteria and cyanotoxin monitoring program on Clear Lake in 2014 with another shoreline Tribe, Elem Indian Colony. Together the two Tribes' Environmental Departments have collaborated with equipment, resources and time to test the water for toxins produced by cyanobacteria (AKA “Blue Green Algae”). These toxins are called cyanotoxins and can be neurotoxins, liver toxins and skin toxins. The Tribes began this program because despite the fact that Clear Lake had thick, noxious blooms covering its surface every summer since 2009, there was no regular and active monitoring of these blooms for the cyanotoxins that the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) had reviewed and suggested Action Levels for in 2012, and for which the World Health Organization provided guidance regarding exposure in the 1990’s. OEHHA's Report
CURRENT RESULTS - 2021 SAMPLING RESULTS/LOCATIONS
UPDATE ON CLEAR LAKE CYANOTOXIN LEVELS:
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MICROCYSTIN TOXIN LEVEL HAS DECREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, HIGHEST LEVEL ON LAKE FROM 10/26/21 SAMPLING EVENT IS 25.11 µg/L
NO ANATOXIN-A DETECTS ON THE LAKE.
At our last sampling event on 10/26/21, we collected water samples from 14 sites on the lake. Most had no evidence of bloom but some cyanobacteria was visibly present.
We submitted all of the samples for microcystin qPCR or toxin analysis, and 4 sites for anatoxin-a qPCR or toxin analysis.
We conducted microscopy on all samples. A majority of the sites had Microcystis sp. as the dominant genus present but many had Aphanizomenon sp. or Planktothrix sp. present. For more information on which cyanobacteria can produce which toxins: https://bit.ly/CyanobacteriaToxinsChart
Identified map signage recommending restricted activity is based on CalOEHHA toxin trigger levels.
CAUTION / WARNING / DANGER SIGNAGE
10/26/21 RESULTS for
Microcystin:
DANGER (Anything above 20):
RED01 25.11 µg/L
WARNING (Anything above 6):
CLOAKS01 17.61 µg/L
SBMMEL01 12.07
AP01 9.47
LC01 9.16
BP 6.61
CAUTION (Anything above 0.8):
JB 5.58 µg/L
LPTNT 0.82
BELOW CAUTION:
Toxin producing genes present
at low levels:
CLV7
KP01
BVCL6
LUC01
NO DETECT OF TOXINS OR TOXIN PRODUCING GENES:
KEYS03
SHADY01
SITES NOT SAMPLED DURING THIS SAMPLING EVENT ARE NOT SHOWN ON THE MAP.
Summer sampling of 2x month is occurring. Next sampling event will be November 16, 2021.
EPA STAFF:
Sarah Ryan, Environmental Director (707)263-3924 x132 and (707)349-4040 cell
Alix Tyler, Water Quality Program Manager
Katherine Schrade, Environmental Specialist
Richard White, Solid Waste Technician