Harmful Algal Bloom Recreational Public Health Advisory Issued

Blooms found at various locations on the Ohio River

The Kentucky Division of Water (DOW) and the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) have issued a harmful algal bloom (HAB) recreational public health advisory for the Ohio River from the McAlpine Dam near Louisville to the Greenup Dam near Greenup, KY. This includes the Ohio River at Madison, Carrollton, Vevay & Warsaw. An advisory is also being issued for Briggs Lake near Russellville.

A HAB recreational public health advisory means algal toxins have been found at various locations along the river and within the lake. Swimming, wading, and water activities that create spray are not recommended.

Observations and sample results from Sept. 25 indicated the presence of a toxin-producing bloom on the Ohio River near downtown Cincinnati. Toxin results from this area were well above the advisory threshold. Toxin-producing blooms that exceeded the advisory threshold were also identified on the Ohio River near Dover, KY (Mason Co.), and near Towhead Island in Louisville, KY, and additionally at Briggs Lake in Logan Co. Currently, HABs are present in patchy areas along the extent of the Ohio River under this advisory. However, bloom conditions can change rapidly. Details can be found at http://bit.ly/HABAdvisory