Toxic algae restricted to Red Bud Isle – for now

The city says samples of algae taken near Red Bud Isle show low levels of a harmful neurotoxin that may be responsible for the deaths of three dogs in recent weeks. However, samples taken from more than half a dozen other locations in Lady Bird Lake found no toxins in the algae. The city added in a press release that additional sampling has found “much of the algae in other parts of Lady Bird Lake are presently harmless varieties.” Signs warning pet owners to keep their dogs out of the lake were posted on Red Bud Isle on Sunday. Despite the optimistic test results, the city warns residents that “algae can move and because there may be potentially harmful algae in other areas of the lake, people should continue to minimize their exposure to the water and avoid all contact with algae. Pet owners should continue to keep their dogs out of Lady Bird Lake.” Staff from the Watershed Protection Department will continue to test the water in various locations and monitor the situation. For more details, visit the city’s algae page at austintexas.gov/Algae.