Algae blooms detected in Ohio River ahead of Riverfest

Local health departments are warning boaters and anyone else who might be getting in the Ohio River this holiday weekend to watch out for potentially toxic algae blooms.

Conditions are favorable for the blue-green algae to form, according to health officials.

Algal blooms have been detected east of Portsmouth and near Louisville, and the Kentucky Division of Water and Kentucky Department of Public Health issued a harmful algal bloom recreational advisory for the Ohio River on Friday, including tributary confluences from Meldahl Dam to the West Virginia state line.

No blooms thus far have been discovered along the river in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

With Riverfest this weekend, authorities ask those on the water to watch out for and avoid what may appear as thick mats or scum on the surface of the water. It can look like green globs or spilled paint.

The blooms can vary in color, from bluish-green to bright green, red or maroon.

“We want people to have fun on the water while being on the lookout in case blue-green algae develops, and to avoid contact if they see it,” Hamilton County Health Commissioner Tim Ingram said in a news release.

According to the release, our public water systems have ways to remove toxins, if they occur and drinking water has not been affected at this time.

Toxic algae has been tormenting Lake Erie, Grand Lake St. Mary’s, Lake Harsha in East Fork State Park and other bodies of water in recent years.

Generally more prevalent in ponds and lakes, the warm and dryer conditions have made it possible for them to form on the Ohio River.

"Harmful algal blooms arise when there are excess nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen), sunny conditions, warm temperatures and low-flow or low-water conditions," according to the news release about Kentucky's advisory. "The more typical green algae, which do not produce toxins, come in many forms and may appear as underwater moss or stringy mats."

Toxic algae, also known as cyanobacteria, “produce toxic chemicals which may make people and pets sick depending upon the amount and type of exposure,” according to a release from the Hamilton County Health department.

“This is especially true for the very young, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems,” the release went on to say. “Toxins can cause a rash, hives, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and more severe symptoms at higher levels of exposure.”

Anyone making contact with the water and – in a worst case scenario – any algae, should wash off immediately and seek medical attention if you become sick.

Water quality monitoring will continue through the weekend by Ohio EPA, the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission and Greater Cincinnati Water Works.

For more information visit www.hamiltoncountyhealth.org.