05/07/2025
Health advisories have been issued by Oregon Health Authority for Wapato Marsh in Multnomah County and Emigrant Lake in Jackson County due to cyanobacterial blooms. Update: On 5/9/25, Oregon Health Authority lifted the recreational use health advisory issued for Emigrant Lake in Jackson County.
Avoid contact with the water in these locations. Dogs can become extremely ill—and even die—within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins from drinking water, licking their wet fur, or eating floating mats or dried crust along the shore.
Also known as toxic algae, cyanobacteria blooms can cause serious illness or death in pets, livestock and wildlife that ingest water or mats containing high concentrations of cyanotoxins.
A toxic algae bloom can look foamy, scummy, thick like paint, and pea-green or blue-green in color. It can look like a thick green or brownish-red mat, or bright green clumps suspended in the water. If you find thick, brightly colored foam, scum or mats in a lake, pond, river or stream—especially in shallow, marshy areas where cyanobacteria blooms can form—don’t let your pet drink or swim in the water.
Check our Web site or Oregon Health Authority's site for the latest cyanobacteria advisories before heading out. And remember: when in doubt, stay out!
