Harmful algae found at eight New Mexico lakes

The New Mexico Environment Department has issued health advisories and a health warning for eight of the state’s lakes because of harmful algal blooms.

Harmful algal blooms happen when there is an overgrowth of specific algae that can be a health risk for people and animals. Advisories have been issued for Quemado, Snow, Hopewell, Charette, Maloya, Santa Cruz and Eagle Nest lakes, and an advisory and warning have been issued for Clayton Lake.

Algae play an important part in the ecosystem. But when they overgrow, they can produce toxins that can cause rashes, itching, numbness, fatigue, disorientation, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. In extreme cases, they can cause death. There have been no reported human deaths in New Mexico, but there have been some dog deaths.

Dogs can be more at risk because of the way they behave in a lake, according to Lynette Guevara, program manager for the Monitoring Assessment and Standards Section of NMED’s Surface Water Quality Bureau.

“It would be in the water, splashing around, ingesting the water, getting the water and algae on its fur, and then licking its fur later,” Guevara said. “So over the years in New Mexico, there have been a handful of reported dog deaths.”

In New Mexico, harmful algal blooms are usually blue-green algae, also called cyanobacteria, which can produce cyanotoxins. Harmful algal blooms can look like green paint or grass clippings floating on the surface. Typically the blooms can be pea green, blue-green, brown or red, and the water may smell bad.

Harmful algal blooms are at their peak in late summer and early fall when the algae is dying off, because it tends to produce toxins more readily. Not every harmful algal bloom produces toxins, although it has the potential to. The agency has confirmed toxins are being produced by harmful algal blooms in Clayton Lake, which is why it was elevated from an advisory to a warning.

NMED is recommending people do not swim, wade, paddleboard or water ski in Clayton Lake. It’s recommending the public avoid bringing dogs or other animals to the lake or hiking areas along the shoreline, avoid areas of algae when boating and prevent children from entering the lake or playing near algae on the shoreline.

“When you’re in doubt, stay out and definitely protect your pets and small children, who have a larger chance of ingestion,” Guevara said.

Anyone who suspects an algae-related illness can call the New Mexico Poison Information Center at 800-222-1222, or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.