MONTEREY COUNTY — Lake San Antonio staff is reporting cyanobacteria blooms occurring at multiple locations near the south shore of the lake in southern Monterey County.
Out of an abundance of caution, since it is not currently known if the algae is toxic (cyanotoxin), the County has posted cautionary signage for the public and fliers with the same information are being handed out to visitors at the entry gates.
The Central Coast Division of the State Water Resources Control Board will conduct testing within the next two weeks, prior to Memorial Day weekend.
Should testing indicate that cyanotoxins are present, signage and messaging will be changed to a warning status.
“This is a normal annual occurrence due to biological and environmental conditions,” the County stated. “At this time, the public is not banned from entering the water but is cautioned to not drink lake water (do not let pets drink it either) or use for cooking and to stay away from the algae.”
