The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources (DWR) has advised the public to avoid contact with green or blue water in the Chowan River and its tributaries between Occano and Arrowhead Beach due to ongoing algal blooms. The blooms have been present since October 6 and have been observed in Bertie and Chowan counties, specifically at the confluence of the Chowan River with Salmon Creek near Occano, near Whites Beach, and on Dillard Creek (Indian Creek) at the Arrowhead Beach boat launch.
According to DWR, these algal blooms are dominated by Dolichospermum (also known as Anabaena) and Microcystis species, which are types of cyanobacteria or blue-green algae. These blooms often appear bright green but can turn milky blue as they decay, sometimes producing a strong odor that affects large areas.
Dolichospermum and Microcystis are capable of producing microcystin, an algal toxin that can be harmful to humans and pets. Testing found microcystin levels of 2,600 parts per billion at the Chowan River’s confluence with Salmon Creek near Occano, 35 parts per billion near Whites Beach, and 89 parts per billion on Indian Creek near its confluence with the Chowan River. These levels exceed public health advisory thresholds.
Results from these tests are available on DWR’s Algal Bloom Dashboard. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health (DPH) advises people to avoid large accumulations of algae and to keep children and pets from swimming in or ingesting water affected by an algal bloom.
DPH recommends several precautions:
– Keep children and pets away from water that is bright green, blue, discolored, or scummy.
– Do not touch large mats of algae.
– Avoid handling or consuming dead fish found in affected waters.
– Wash thoroughly if you come into contact with an algal bloom, and rinse pets with clean water if they have been exposed.
– Seek medical care immediately if a child appears ill after exposure to affected water.
– Seek veterinary care if a pet shows symptoms such as stumbling or collapsing after being in potentially contaminated water.
Algal blooms can move due to wind and wave action, so their locations may change over time. To report an algal bloom, residents can contact their nearest DEQ regional office or submit a report online. Information about reported events can be found on DWR’s Fish Kill & Algal Bloom Dashboard.
Further details about algal blooms are available on the DWR website. For information regarding potential health effects, visit the N.C. DHHS website.
The DPH also reminds residents that other microorganisms or pollutants may be present in waterbodies that could cause recreational water illnesses; more information is available at https://epi.dph.ncdhhs.gov/cd/water/prevent.html.
