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Health Advisory Issued for Eckman Lake Due to Harmful Algae Bloom
by Lincoln County Public Health
WALDPORT, Ore. – The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a recreational use health advisory for Eckman Lake on July 31, due to the presence of cyanobacteria, and is providing an update on August 15, due to very high saxitoxin (PSP) levels, a naturally occurring toxin produced by certain harmful algae.
Saxitoxin is a natural poison that can make people very sick. It comes from certain types of algae and can cause Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) when people eat contaminated shellfish.
Public Health Recommendations
Lincoln County Public Health strongly advises the public to:
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Avoid recreational water activities that could lead to ingestion of or contact with contaminated water.
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Do not drink untreated lake water. Boiling, filtering, or camping-style water treatments do not remove saxitoxins.
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Keep pets and service animals away from water and shoreline areas where algae may be present.
Lincoln County Public Health is also recommending that people do not harvest or eat shellfish from this area until further notice because Eckman Lake drains into the Alsea Bay estuary.
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Shellfish with saxitoxin look, smell, and taste normal, so the only way to know they are unsafe is through lab testing. Cooking or freezing does not remove the toxin.
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Crabs may also carry the toxin, so avoid harvesting them in this area for now.
Stay informed and report concerns:
If you or your pet experience symptoms after visiting Eckman Lake, contact your healthcare provider or veterinarian right away. For general questions or to report an illness, call the Oregon Health Authority at 1-877-290-6767 or visit OHA’s Harmful Algae Blooms website.
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