Skip to main content
austintexas.gov

Action Navigation

  • 3-1-1

GTranslate

austintexas.gov
Search

Main menu

Home
  • Resident

    Resident

    Open the Resident page
      Open the Resident page
    • Household
      • Getting a Home
      • Utilities
      • Trash and Recycling
      • Gardening and Home Improvements
      • Home Improvements
      • Pets and Adoption
      Open the Household page
    • Neighborhoods
      • Education
      • Libraries
      • Families
      • Neighborhood Issues
      Open the Neighborhoods page
    • Health
      • Animals
      • Public Health
      Open the Health page
    • Public Safety
      • Crime
      • Courts
      • Fire Safety
      • Emergency Preparedness
      • Public Safety Employment
      Open the Public Safety page
    • Arts and Leisure
      • Arts, History and Culture
      • Outdoor, Nature and Wildlife
      • Events
      • City Venues and Facilities
      • Film and Music
      Open the Arts and Leisure page
    • Environmental
      • City Programs and Initiatives
      • Conservation and Recycling
      • Animals and Wildlife
      • Parks
      Open the Environmental page
    • Transportation
      • Car/Bus
      • Aviation
      • Bicycle/Pedestrian
      • Streets/Maps
      Open the Transportation page
    • City of Austin
      • About Austin
      • Voting and Elections
      • Get Involved
      • City Jobs
      • Records and Documents
      Open the City of Austin page
  • Business

    Business

    Open the Business page
      Open the Business page
    • Doing Business
      • Utilities
      • Doing Business with the City
      • Taxes
      • MBE/WBE Program
      • City Code
      • Food Establishments
      • Permits
      • Day Labor
      • Records and Documents
      Open the Doing Business page
    • Starting Out
      • Starting a Business
      • Relocating a Business
      • Incentives and Grants
      Open the Starting Out page
    • City Contracts
    • Small Business Centers
      • Small Business Development
      • Incentives and Grants
      Open the Small Business Centers page
    • Austin Center for Events
    • Nonprofits
      • Grants
      Open the Nonprofits page
    • Green Resources
  • Government

    Government

    Open the Government page
      Open the Government page
    • City Council
    • City Manager's Office
    • Boards and Commissions
    • City Council meeting information
    • City Hall
    • Jobs
    • Public Records
  • Departments

    Departments

    View full directory of departments

    Frequently Viewed Departments

      View full directory of departments
    • Visit
      • Airport
      • Visitors Bureau
      • Convention Center
    • Utilities
      • Austin Energy
      • Austin Water
      • Resource Recovery
    • Education & Recreation
      • Library
      • Parks and Recreation
    • Safety
      • Police
    • Other
      • Animal Services
      • Development Services
      • Economic Development
  • Connect

    Connect

      Open the Connect page
    • Share ideas online about improving Austin
    • Participate in the City
    • Sign up for email updates
    • City contact information
Townlake
  1. Departments
  2. Watershed Protection
  3. As weather heats up, so does the risk of toxic algae

As weather heats up, so does the risk of toxic algae

  • As weather heats up, so does the risk of toxic algae
Name
Watershed Protection Media Line
Phone
512-974-1450
Photo of algae
Release Date
Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Blue-green algae are present at most monitoring sites on Lady Bird Lake and Lake Austin

The City of Austin has resumed monitoring and testing cyanobacteria, also called blue-green algae. Certain species of blue-green algae can produce toxins, which are potentially harmful to people and pets. During initial visits this year between May 2 and May 12, staff found blue-green algae at all monitoring sites on Lady Bird Lake and Lake Austin, except for Walsh Boat Landing. Please assume that the algae may be toxic.

We recommend that people and pets avoid contact with algae, not drink water directly from the lake, and rinse off after contact with the water. Do not allow dogs to lick their fur prior to rinsing. Please note that swimming is prohibited in Lady Bird Lake.

Our routine algae monitoring program includes biweekly visits to Lady Bird Lake and Lake Austin during the summer and early fall. If blue-green algae are present at a site, staff take samples of algae and water and send them to a lab for analysis. The program is paused over the winter and spring when algae growth is reduced. This allows staff time to process data.

Analyzing the algae for toxins takes time. The tests are unusual, complex and not readily available. They are being done at university labs for research purposes. Results will be posted at AustinTexas.gov/Algae as soon as they are available. We anticipate the lab results being available in June.

The monitoring program provides a snapshot of conditions at specific locations at the time samples were taken. It is the most current data we have to evaluate the extent of harmful algae on our lakes, but is not suitable for determining the safety of a particular area on a particular day for recreational use.

We are not currently monitoring creeks for harmful algae, but it could be present. Bacteria, such as E.-coli, parasites and other dangers may also be present. We recommend not getting in the water if it is warm, stagnant or if you see scum, film or algae. Due to the risk of bacteria, you should also avoid natural water bodies for at least three days after it rains and if lots of dogs are present. 

If a person has sudden, unexplained symptoms after swimming, they should contact their medical provider or the Texas Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. For a pet, they should contact their veterinarian. Please also let us know by completing the reporting form, found at AustinTexas.gov/Algae.

To try to reduce the amount of harmful algae present on Lady Bird Lake, we will continue our pilot program and apply lanthanum-modified clay at Red Bud Isle and east of I-35, starting in late June. This product helps reduce the phosphorus available for algae growth. Over the past two years, we have seen a drop in nutrient levels and the amount and toxicity of blue-green algae near Red Bud Isle. However, last year we did not see the same success east of I-35. This may have been due to rainfall and increased flows through the lake following the applications.

On Lady Bird Lake, we have documented harmful algae proliferations every year since 2019, when several dogs died after swimming in the lake. On Lake Austin, algae sampling began in 2020, and harmful algae has been detected on that lake every year since then.

It is possible for the toxins to be released into the water, but that has not been detected on Lady Bird Lake or Lake Austin. Instead, the toxins have been contained in the algae itself. This means that exposure to the toxins occurs through ingestion or contact with the algae.

There is more information at AustinTexas.gov/Algae.

City of Austin

Footer Menu

  • Get information or assistance
  • Give feedback on our website
  • Site Map
  • Public Records
  • City Council Message Board
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • RSS

Second Footer Menu

  • Visit Austin
  • City Directory
  • Jobs
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Notice
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • RSS