Algae alert for lower Murray River

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A red alert level warning (high alert) has been issued for the lower Murray River from Red Cliffs Water Treatment Plant to Mildura Weir inclusive.

In addition, downstream locations at Wentworth, Fort Courage and the outlet at Lake Victoria remain on high alert.

WaterNSW and Lower Murray Water will continue to monitor sites in the area and report the results as soon as they become available.

A red alert level warning indicates that people should not undertake recreational activities where they may be coming into direct contact with the water.

Contact with the water may also pose a threat to livestock, and pets.

People should not eat mussels or crayfish from Red Alert warning areas.

A precautionary approach should be applied to fishing during bloom events.

Any fish caught should be cleaned and washed thoroughly in uncontaminated water and any internal organs disposed of before consumption.

Fish fillet meals from algal bloom affected areas should be limited to 1-2 servings per week.

Avoiding fishing in a bloom location is the best way to minimise risk, particularly catching and eating fish from locations with severe blooms that last extended periods of time.
Blue-green algae usually appear as green paint-like scums on the water, near the edges, or as greenish clumps throughout the water.

The water can appear to be dirty, green or discoloured and a strong musty or earthy odour may be noticed.
Potentially harmful algal blooms tend to occur when there are warm water temperatures and sunny days, low turbidity and calm water conditions where water may stratify.

It is not possible to predict how long the algae will remain at high levels. Regular monitoring will continue, and the alert will be lifted as soon as the high levels of algae dissipate.

People who believe they may have been affected by blue-green algae are advised to seek medical advice.

Updates about blue-green algae blooms and red level warning areas can be obtained by calling 1800 999 457 or visiting – http://www.waternsw.com.au/water-quality/algae

Algae alert for Lake Victoria Outlet

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A red alert level warning (high alert) has been issued for the outlet at Lake Victoria. The results of water quality monitoring conducted by WaterNSW shows potentially toxic blue green algae are now dominant within the algal assemblage.

A red alert level warning indicates that people should not undertake recreational activities where they may be coming into direct contact with the water. Contact with the water may also pose a threat to livestock, and pets.

People should not eat mussels or crayfish from Red Alert warning areas.

A precautionary approach should be applied to fishing during bloom events.

Any fish caught should be cleaned and washed thoroughly in uncontaminated water and any internal organs disposed of before consumption.

Fish fillet meals from algal bloom affected areas should be limited to 1-2 servings per week.

Avoiding fishing in a bloom location is the best way to minimise risk, particularly catching and eating fish from locations with severe blooms that last extended periods of time.
Blue-green algae usually appear as green paint-like scums on the water, near the edges, or as greenish clumps throughout the water.

The water can appear to be dirty, green or discoloured and a strong musty or earthy odour may be noticed.

Potentially harmful algal blooms tend to occur when there are warm water temperatures and sunny days, low turbidity and calm water conditions where water may stratify.

It is not possible to predict how long the algae will remain at high levels.

Regular monitoring will continue, and the alert will be lifted as soon as the high levels of algae dissipate.

People who believe they may have been affected by blue-green algae are advised to seek medical advice.

A red alert level warning (high alert) has also been issued for the lower Murray River at Wentworth, as dense surface scums remain persistent within the weir pool. Water quality monitoring has been conducted and WaterNSW will report the results as soon as they become available.

Updates about blue-green algae blooms and red level warning areas can be obtained by calling 1800 999 457 or visiting – http://www.waternsw.com.au/water-quality/algae

Blue-green algae alert for lower Murray River at Fort Courage

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A red alert level warning (high alert) has been issued for the lower Murray River at Fort Courage. WaterNSW will continue to monitor sites in the area and will report the results as soon as they become available.

A red alert level warning indicates that people should not undertake recreational activities where they may be coming into direct contact with the water. Contact with the water may also pose a threat to livestock, and pets.

People should not eat mussels or crayfish from Red Alert warning areas.

A precautionary approach should be applied to fishing during bloom events. Any fish caught should be cleaned and washed thoroughly in uncontaminated water and any internal organs disposed of before consumption.

Fish fillet meals from algal bloom affected areas should be limited to 1-2 servings per week.

Avoiding fishing in a bloom location is the best way to minimise risk, particularly catching and eating fish from locations with severe blooms that last extended periods of time.

Blue-green algae usually appear as green paint-like scums on the water, near the edges, or as greenish clumps throughout the water.

The water can appear to be dirty, green or discoloured and a strong musty or earthy odour may be noticed.
Potentially harmful algal blooms tend to occur when there are warm water temperatures and sunny days, low turbidity and calm water conditions where water may stratify.

It is not possible to predict how long the algae will remain at high levels.

Regular monitoring will continue, and the alert will be lifted as soon as the high levels of algae dissipate.

People who believe they may have been affected by blue-green algae are advised to seek medical advice.

Updates about blue-green algae blooms and red level warning areas can be obtained by calling 1800 999 457 or visiting – http://www.waternsw.com.au/water-quality/algae

Blue green algae Red Alert warning lifted – Colignan to Nichols Point on the Murray River

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The high-level algal warning (Red Alert) for the lower Murray River from Colignan to Nichols Point has been cleared.

Downstream the high alert warning remains in place for the river from Buronga to Wentworth Weir.

Blue-green algae occur naturally and can reproduce quickly in favourable conditions where there is still or slow-flowing water, abundant sunlight and sufficient levels of nutrients.

Blue-green algae usually appear as green paint-like scums on the water, near the edges, or as greenish clumps throughout the water. It makes the water appear dirty, green or discoloured and generally has a strong musty or earthy odour.

People who believe they may have been affected by blue-green algae are advised to seek medical advice.

Updates about blue-green algae blooms and red level warning areas can be obtained by calling 1800 999 457 or visiting – http://www.waternsw.com.au/water-quality/algae.

Blue-Green Algae warnings remain for lower Darling and Murray rivers

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A Red Alert for Blue Green Algae remains current for the lower Darling River downstream from Menindee Lakes to Burtundy.

Dense surface scums tend to be spatially variable and estimated to be 300 to 500 m in length and comprised predominantly of Microcystis.

Weekly monitoring is occurring along the lower Darling River and algal monitoring has also been instigated at Menindee Lakes.

A Red Alert also remains current for the lower Murray River (Colignan to Merbein).

Due to the re-emergency of surface scums at Wentworth Weir and elevated cell counts this week the high alert warning was extended and now includes the downstream section of the river from Merbein to Wentworth Weir.

Cell growth rates are likely to be moderated over the coming week due to improved hydrological conditions.

The daily mean river discharge at Colignan is 10,999 ML/Day and represents a 30% increase in streamflow over the past 10 days.

Visit https://www.waternsw.com.au/water-quality/algae for additional information.

BLUE GREEN ALGAE RED ALERT FOR THE LOWER MURRAY RIVER

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Tuesday, January 12, 2021

The red alert level warning (high alert) previously issued for the lower Murray River (Red Cliffs to Mildura) remains current.  A new Red Alert has now been declared for a 50 km reach of river immediately downstream, that is, from Mildura to Wentworth. This declaration of a red alert follows testing undertaken by Water NSW and local water authorities. Levels of blue green algae in other sections of the river continue to fluctuate.

A red alert level warning indicates that people should not undertake recreational activities where they may be coming into direct contact with the water such as swimming, as well as domestic uses including showering and washing. Contact with the water may also pose a threat to livestock, and pets. Livestock owners are reminded to continue to check stock water supplies for blue green algae and to remove stock from foreshores where surface scum is visible or blue green algae are suspected.

Warning signs are positioned at key recreational areas and will remain in place while high levels of blue green algae are present.

Blue-green algae usually appear as green paint-like scums on the water, near the edges, or as greenish clumps throughout the water. The water may appear dirty, green or discoloured and may also have a strong musty or earthy odour.

People who believe they may have been affected by blue-green algae are advised to seek medical advice.

It is not possible to predict how long the algae will remain at high levels. Regular monitoring will continue, and the alert will be lifted as soon as the high levels of algae dissipate.

Updates about blue-green algae blooms and red level warning areas can be obtained by visiting – http://www.waternsw.com.au/water-quality/algae

General inquires – Elizabeth Symes – 0439 199 077

Media Contact – Tony Webber – 0428 613 478

WaterNSW ADVSES TRAVELLERS TO MONITOR BLUE-GREEN ALGAE ALERTS

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As the summer holidays approach, Water NSW is reminding travellers to monitor blue-green algae alerts and current river conditions so they can make informed decisions regarding their travel plans.

WaterNSW recommends people travelling over the summer holidays, especially to areas around the River Murray, regularly check its website for updates on blue-green algae.

Blue-green algae blooms can cause waters to be unsafe to humans and animals. Red alert levels represent ‘bloom’ conditions and the water should not be used for drinking or other domestic purposes (cooking, showering etc.) or for recreation. People should not eat fish, mussels or crayfish from red  level warning areas.

After recently issuing a red alert (high alert) for blue-green algae at Mildura/Buronga on the NSW and Victorian border we are asking people to regularly check the WaterNSW website for blue-green algae alerts due to the predicted warming weather and reducing flows. There could be incidences of potentially harmful algae in the coming months.

“We want to ensure people are making informed decisions when they enter waterways this summer, and a large part of that is making sure they’re not coming into contact with potentially dangerous blue-green algae,” said WaterNSW Executive Manager of water and catchment protection, Fiona Smith.

“We consistently monitor river conditions looking for signs of blue-green algae, and if our testing returns levels that present a risk to water users, we issue an alert on our website.”

“December sampling has shown an increase in algae, particularly in the mid-to-lower sections of the Murray.”

Updates about blue-green algae blooms and red level warning areas can be obtained by calling or visiting – http://www.waternsw.com.au/water-quality/algae, or calling  1800  999 457.

Blue-green algae usually appear as green paint-like scums on the water, near the edges, or as greenish clumps throughout the water. It makes the water appear dirty, green or discoloured and generally has a strong musty or earthy odour.

Blue-green algae occur naturally and can reproduce quickly in favourable conditions where there is still or slow-flowing water, abundant sunlight and sufficient levels of nutrients. Therefore, we recommend caution, as in some cases algal  blooms may be present but not yet reported.

A guide to the identification of algae can be found on the WaterNSW website: https://www.waternsw.com.au/water-quality/algae/identifying-algal-blooms

Media Contact – Tony Webber– 0428  613  478

General inquiries –Liz Symes – 0439  199 077