City steps up monitoring for toxic algae

The city has issued a precautionary warning that toxic algae blooms at Lady Bird Lake that sickened and killed several dogs last summer could return again this year. The risk is low at the moment, but with temperatures on the rise, the danger is expected to increase. The city will be tracking lake temperature and flow, which are ways to evaluate the risk of the harmful blue-green algae blooms. According to the city website which tracks that data, in summer and fall the city will “conduct weekly sampling of algae to identify species and the presence of toxins at four locations. Locations include Red Bud Isle, Barton Creek between Barton Springs and the lake, Vic Mathias Shores and Festival Beach. Testing may occur twice a week if conditions warrant.” Along with the website, which will continue to provide information about the algae, the city has issued safety guidelines in English and in Spanish.