People and their pets should avoid water contact at Salton Sea due to toxic algae outbreak

Recent death of a dog underscores potential consequences

Palm Desert – A warning for people and their dogs to avoid water contact in Salton Sea has been issued after the detection of Harmful Algal Blooms at numerous sites and the recent report of a dog that died soon after a swimming excursion.

The Colorado River Basin Water Quality Control Board (Regional Water Board) has been conducting monthly water monitoring of cyanotoxin concentrations in Salton Sea. The toxins produced by cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms (HABs) can affect the skin, liver and nervous system of people and of dogs and livestock.

The confirmed presence of HABs around Salton Sea indicate the blooms contain varieties of toxic cyanobacteria.

Based on Regional Water Board monitoring, warning signs will be posted in multiple locations around the Salton Sea State Recreation Area and additional locations around the to alert visitors to the dangers associated with cyanotoxins. The Water Boards recommend:

  • No swimming
  • Don’t let dogs or other animals enter the water, drink the water or eat scum and algal mats on the shore.
  • Stay away from scum, algal mats, and cloudy or discolored water. Algal mats growing on the bottom surface can be difficult to see from the shore.
  • For caught fish, discard guts and clean fillets with tap water or bottled water.
  • Don’t use water directly from Salton Sea for drinking or cooking. Boiling and filtering will not make the water safe.

Get medical treatment immediately if you think that you or your pet has gotten sick after going in the water. Be sure to alert the medical professional to the possible contact with cyanobacteria bloom and the Salton Sea. Contact the Riverside or Imperial County public health department and email cyanoHAB.reports@waterboards.ca.gov to report a HAB-related illness.

The Regional Water Board will continue monitoring of HABs and cyanotoxin concentrations in Salton Sea and will inform the public when the HAB conditions and advisory level changes.

The public can assist with reporting any blooms by doing one of the following:

For more information about HABs, please visit:
California Harmful Algal Blooms Portal
California Department of Public Health Resource Page