COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — Plan on enjoying one of North Idaho's picturesque lakes this summer? As always, environmental experts want to remind you to be mindful of potentially dangerous algae blooms in some areas.
The blooms, which have become notably common on Fernan Lake in particular, contain different types of bacteria that contain toxins. Ingesting the water can potentially make you or your pet sick.
"It's frustrating," said Kristin Larson, an Idaho Department of Environmental Quality water analyst, of the blooms. "My job is to protect the health and the environment."
While no blooms have been reported this year, Larson emphasized that people recreating in lakes should be aware once temperatures start to rise. Blooms typically occur in July and August during prolonged periods of weather in the upper 90s, Larson said. During those times, bacteria can quickly multiply.
According to Larson, roughly 5 different types of algae can be found in North Idaho. In addition to Fernan, other lakes were blooms have been reported in previous years include the North side of Hayden Lake, Cocolalla, and Hauser lakes. Some of the algae produce a toxin that's harmful to the liver. Others produce neurotoxins.
Most of the blooms are noticeable near docks and shorelines and are green in color. Not all are identical, though.
"They can be different colors from iridescent green to kind of a split pea soup," Larson said."Often times pollen and stuff can appear to look like one of these blooms. But it's not."
However, is it possible to tell blooms apart and initially determine how dangerous they are?
Not necessarily, says Larson.
"When in doubt, stay out," advised Larson to anyone who may come across a bloom this summer.
She added that in most cases, IDEQ would have to test water samples from potential blooms in order to determine more about them.
In addition to pets being at risk for getting sick from algae blooms, Larson added that young people, older people, and those with weakened immune systems can be at risk as well. Larson said that a dog in Southern Idaho died after coming in contact with a bloom in recent years. However, to her and IDEQ's knowledge, no serious reports of illnesses tied to algae had been reported in North Idaho.
For now, there doesn't appear to be an end in sight for the blooms in North Idaho.
"The fix is not always easy," said Larson as she stood on the shores of Fernan Lake.
She said that IDEQ and University of Idaho researchers are looking at ways to fix Fernan's blue-green algae problem, but potential solutions would be expensive and require a lot of work.