The presence of toxic blue-green algae or cyanobacteria has been confirmed in Lake Austin and Lady Bird Lake, according to an April 6 news release from the Austin Watershed Protection Department.
Aglae samples taken in mid-March from the Mansfield Dam area of Lake Austin tested positive for dihydroanatoxin—a toxin produced by cyanobacteria. Trace concentrations of the toxin were also detected in two algae samples collected from Lady Bird Lake.
Dihydroanatoxin is the same toxin recently discovered by the Lower Colorado River Authority within Lake Travis and other water bodies in the Highland Lakes chain. It was also found in 2019 and 2020 in Lady Bird Lake, which resulted in the death of at least five dogs.
The toxins produced by cyanobacteria can be dangerous when ingested by dogs, even in small amounts. Symptoms of exposure can include vomiting, excessive drooling and respiratory paralysis, among other illnesses.
