News Release

EPA 0402 (rev. 10/96) -more- v Printed on Recycled Paper

FOR RELEASE: September 3, 2010 

CONTACT: Heidi Hetzel-Evans, ODNR, (614) 265-6860 

Public Interest Center, Ohio EPA, (614) 644-2160 

Robert Jennings, ODH, (614) 644-8562 

Two Algal Toxin Advisories Removed, One Downgraded; 

Other Advisories Remain Unchanged

 

Due to the presence of algal toxins found within the water of a number of inland lakes across 

Ohio and Lake Erie, Ohio EPA, Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and Ohio 

Department of Health (ODH) are releasing a comprehensive list of updated sampling results for 

algal toxins including microcystin, anatoxin-a, cylindrospermopsin and saxitoxin. All state parks 

remain open. 

REMOVED:

Lake Hope and Jackson Lake: 

The advisories at Lake Hope and Jackson Lake State Parks are being removed following a 

second consecutive week of toxin-free sample results. The most recent samples, collected on 

August 30, did not contain microcystin, cylindrospermopsin, saxitoxin or anatoxin-a. 

DOWNGRADED:

Deer Creek State Park 

The advisory for Deer Creek State Park is being downgraded from a toxin advisory to a bloom 

advisory because microcystin results are low and levels are non-detect for the three other algal 

toxins. Microcystin results from the August 30 sampling event showed levels of the algal toxin 

ranged from 0.7-1.3 ppb. This means people should avoid contact with surface scum. 

REMAINING:

Berlin Lake: 

 Following reports of an algae bloom at the southern end of the reservoir located in Portage, 

Stark and Mahoning counties, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sampled for microcystin on 

August 25. Results back this week showed no detection of the algal toxin. 

 

Wingfoot Lake State Park:

Microcystin results from the August 30 sampling event showed levels of the algal toxin ranged 

from 50 ppb to more than 250 ppb. Due to the continued elevated levels of microcystin in the 

water and past detections of trace amounts of saxitoxin and anatoxin-a, a toxin advisory 

continues for Wingfoot Lake. Residents should avoid contact with any algae and direct contact 

with the water until further notice. 

Grand Lake St. Marys 

Anatoxin continues to be present in trace amounts at three beaches at Grand Lake St. Marys 

(Auglaize and Mercer counties). Samples this week had levels at 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 parts per 

billion (ppb) at East, Camp and West beaches, respectively. Because anatoxin is present, the 

current “no contact” advisory will remain in place for activities with direct water contact, such as 
swimming or water skiing. Microcystin levels at the Celina Water Plant intake also are low, at 

1.5 ppb, which is consistent with other microcystin results this week. No toxins have been 

detected in Celina’s treated drinking water. 

Microcystin Non Detect Results 

Sample results from August 30 for microcystin came back non-detect for water bodies at the 

following parks: Lake Alma, Burr Oak, Stonelick and Blue Rock State Parks. 

SUMMARY OF ADVISORIES: 

No Contact Advisory: Avoid any and all contact with and ingestion of the lake water. This 

includes launching watercraft on the lakes. 

Blue Rock State Park 

LaDue Reservoir 

Toxin Advisory: Avoid contact with any algae and direct contact with water. 

Burr Oak State Park 

Grand Lake St. Marys 

East Branch Reservoir 

Lake Alma State Park 

Maumee Bay State Park (Lake Erie bloom) 

Wingfoot Lake State Park 

Bloom Advisory: Cautionary advisory to avoid contact with any algae. 

Alum Creek State Park (park office pond) 

Deer Creek State Park 

Delaware State Park (unnamed pond) 

East Harbor State Park (Lake Erie bloom) 

Mount Gilead State Park 

Shawnee State Park (golf course pond) 

Scioto Trail State Park (Stewart Lake only) 

Stonelick State Park 

The information in this news release is current as of 4 p.m. today. More information about what 

each advisory means can be found on ODNR’s website at: 

ohiodnr.com/tabid/22957/Default.aspx.

Because toxin levels can fluctuate, the State will continue sampling from the lakes. Advisories 

will remain in effect until there have been two consecutive weeks of non-detection for anatoxina, saxitoxin and cylindrospermopsin and two consecutive weeks of microcystin below 20 ppb 

(set by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the upper end of the moderate-risk range for 

contact with microcystin). There are no WHO standards for the other toxins. 

Additional information and data on Harmful Algal Blooms is online at: 

Ohio EPA www.epa.ohio.gov/dsw/HAB.aspx

ODH www.odh.ohio.gov/features/odhfeatures/algalblooms.aspx

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www.epa.ohio.gov