No change in Lake Connewarre and Barwon Estuary blue-green algae bloom

15 February, 2012

Ongoing monitoring of the blue-green algae bloom in Lake Connewarre and lower sections of the Barwon River Estuary shows no change.

This week’s water sampling results indicate the Nodularia species of blue green algae are still present. Toxicity tests confirmed that the Nodularia bloom is toxic.

Parks Victoria District Chief Ranger Siobhan Rogan said there are currently two blooms of different species occurring in the Barwon River, Nodularia and Anabaena.

“Blue-green algae are naturally occurring organisms, present within all water bodies; this means they occur in both fresh and saline waters and can form blooms in certain conditions,” Ms Rogan said.

“The Barwon River upstream of the tidal barrage, which is managed by the Corangamite CMA, has a freshwater blue-green algae species, Anabeana. Downstream in Lake Connewarre and the Barwon estuary is the saline strain, Nodularia which is odourless.

“The Lake Connewarre wetland system includes the freshwater Reedy Lake which receives inflows from the Barwon River. Visual inspections at the tidal barrage near the inlet have shown the presence of Anabaena.”

Ms Rogan reminded people to observe the signs in areas currently affected by blue-green algae blooms and avoid direct contact with the water.

“Contact with blue-green algae affected water at the Lake, estuary and beach east of the river mouth should be avoided in areas where discoloured, greenish water, scum in the water and green algae on the beach are evident,” she said.

“It’s also important to keep children, pets and others in your care out of the water.”

Nodularia can cause skin irritation and respiratory or hayfever-like symptoms and produces toxins that can adversely affect liver function.

Alternative swimming sites are the Geelong foreshore, all coastal locations from Geelong around the Bellarine Peninsula, including the Ocean Grove Main Beach (15W)east of 18W, and then west from Barwon Heads to coastal towns. Swimmers are reminded to always swim between the life saver patrol flags when on display.

Health, safety and fishing advice is available from the DSE Customer Service Centre (call 136 186), the DSE website www.dse.vic.gov.au and Parks Victoria website www.parkweb.vic.gov.au

People can report the location of any sightings of blue-green algae to the DSE Customer Service Centre.