LOUISA, Va. — The Virginia Department of Health is warning the public not to swim in Lake Anna due to a harmful algae bloom (HAB).
On Monday, health officials issued a swimming advisory for the North Anna Branch of Lake Anna and added a swimming advisory for the Upper and Middle sections of the Pamunkey Branch of Lake Anna. The public is advised to avoid contact with this specific area of the lake until algae concentrations return to acceptable levels.
The VDH says the HAB is not associated with the recent outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) at Lake Anna area, as that pathogen is not associated with HABs.
The section of the lake currently under a swimming advisory due to unsafe levels of cyanobacteria is:
North Anna Branch (advisory extended)
- Upper North Anna Branch – From the upper inundated waters of the North Anna arm, to include the “sandbar” of the lake and downstream to the Route 522 Bridge.
- Upper and Middle North Anna Branch – From the Route 522 Bridge, to include Route 719 (Holladay Bridge), to Lumsden Flats at Rose Valley Drive
Pamunkey Branch (advisory added)
- Upper-Upper Pamunkey Branch- From the upper inundated waters of Pamunkey Branch to Runnymede Park
- Upper Pamunkey Branch – From Runnymede Park to the confluence with Terry’s Run
- Middle Pamunkey Branch – From confluence with Terry’s Run to Route 612 (Stubbs Bridge)
Cyanobacteria have the potential to produce toxins. One cyanotoxin was detected at both Upper North Anna and Pamunkey Branch sites, but below levels of health concern. People and pets are advised to avoid swimming, windsurfing and stand-up-paddle-boarding, as well as other activities that pose a risk of ingesting water. Activities such as boating may continue with proper precaution in advisory areas.
To prevent illness, people should:
- Avoid contact with any area of the lake where water is green or an advisory sign is posted, WHEN IN DOUBT, STAY OUT!
- Never allow children or pets to drink from natural bodies of water.
- Keep children and pets out of the areas experiencing a harmful algae bloom and quickly wash them off with plenty of fresh, clean water after coming into contact with algae scum or bloom water.
- Seek medical/veterinarian care if you or your animals experience symptoms after swimming in or near an algal bloom.
- Properly clean fish by removing skin and discarding all internal organs and cooking fish to the proper temperature to ensure fish fillets are safe to eat.
- Contact the Harmful Algal Bloom Hotline at 1-888-238-6154 if they suspect they experienced health-related effects following exposure to a bloom.
- Visit www.SwimHealthyVA.com to learn more about harmful algae blooms or to report an algae bloom or fish kill.
The advisory will be lifted when algae concentrations return to acceptable levels. Follow-up monitoring above Route 208 on the lake is planned (weather permitting) for the week of Aug. 15.