Prineville, Ore. – The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has issued a recreational use health advisory for Ochoco Reservoir (Lake) after elevated levels of microcystin, a toxin produced by harmful algae blooms, were detected. The advisory was announced on Wednesday.
In its release, OHA warned that “people should avoid swimming and high-speed water activities, such as water skiing or power boating, in areas of the reservoir where blooms are present, as the major route of exposure is ingestion of water.” The agency noted that while toxins are not absorbed through the skin, people with sensitive skin may develop rashes.
Despite the advisory, OHA emphasized that the reservoir remains open for many uses. “OHA encourages people to visit Ochoco Lake and enjoy activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing and kayaking,” the release stated. Boating is considered safe so long as speeds do not create excessive spray that could lead to inhaling toxins.
Health officials also cautioned against drinking untreated water from the reservoir, warning that “toxins cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating water with camping-style filters.” Residents who draw household water directly from the lake are advised to use an alternative source, as many private treatment systems may not effectively remove cyanotoxins.
Children and pets are at particular risk, with OHA noting that dogs “can get extremely ill and even die within minutes to hours of exposure” by drinking contaminated water, licking their fur, or eating dried algae mats along the shore.
Symptoms for people can include stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, with more serious effects such as numbness, dizziness and shortness of breath possible in severe cases. OHA also recommends avoiding fish caught in areas with blooms, unless skin, fat, and organs are removed and fillets are thoroughly rinsed.
For more information or to report a potential illness related to algae bloom exposure, the public can contact OHA at 1-877-290-6767 or visit the agency’s harmful algae bloom webpage.
Mr. Alderman is an investigative journalist specializing in government transparency, non-profit accountability, consumer protection, and is a subject mater expert on Oregon’s public records and meetings laws. As a former U.S. Army Military Police Officer, he brings a disciplined investigative approach to his reporting that has frequently exposed ethics violations, financial mismanagement, and transparency failures by public officials and agencies.
 has issued a recreational use health advisory for Ochoco Lake after elevated levels of microcystin, a toxin produced by harmful algae blooms, were detected. The advisory was announced on Wednesday.){kind=link}