Southwest Austin Dripping Springs Edition | July 2023

ENVIRONMENT Experts begin third year of treating toxic algae in Lady Bird Lake

While not all algae found in lakes is toxic, exposure to cyanobacteria can cause illness in people and pets, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If people or their pets experience symptoms they should report them to the city of Austin and seek medical attention. COURTESY AUSTIN WATERSHED PROTECTION DEPARTMENT SYMPTOMS OF TOXIC ALGAE

BY ELLE BENT

wildlife around as well as humans.” City ocials recommend avoiding contact with the algae, including not drinking directly from either lake. In 2019, the algae blooms in Lady Bird Lake reached a peak and caused the deaths of ve dogs over the course of a week, Shuler said. The treatment of Lady Bird Lake with the modied clay is being funded by the city of Austin until 2025 for a total of $1.5 million over ve years. The project will likely expand to larger-scale treatment based on the results, Shuler said. The rst treatment for 2023 was completed June 5, the second on July 10 and the third tentatively scheduled for Aug. 14. The south shore of the lake will not be treated and instead will be used to monitor eectiveness, Shuler said. “We’re here talking about Lady Bird Lake today, but this is a massive

Experts began treating toxic algae blooms in Lady Bird Lake on June 5 after blooms were found at sites at Red Bud Isle and east of I-35 between May 2-12. The treatment is part of a pilot program by the Austin Watershed Protection Department that began three years ago. EutroPHIX, a company under SePRO that works to restore and improve water quality, is applying a total of 20,000 pounds of modied clay to the lake throughout the summer as a preventive measure. The modied clay, called lantha- num-modied bentonite, reduces the amount of phosphorus in the lake, a key nutrient that cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, need to bloom. “It’s a very benign substance other than its anity for phosphorus,” EutroPHIX National Manager Scott Shuler said. “So there’s no threat to the

SYMPTOMS IN PEOPLE

SYMPTOMS IN PETS

• Irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, throat or lungs • Stomach pain • Headache • Neurological symptoms, such as dizziness or muscle weakness

• Excessive salivation • Vomiting • Staggered walking • Diculty breathing

• Liver failure • Death • Convulsions

• Vomiting • Diarrhea • Liver damage

SOURCE: CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTIONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

problem nationwide, and these harm- ful algal blooms are becoming much more prevalent,” Shuler said. “We need to continue to think about ways

to manage our polluted waterways as well as be more proactive and think bigger about managing the water- sheds as well.”

SOUTHWEST AUSTIN DRIPPING SPRINGS EDITION • JULY 2023