Algae bloom beaches water sports

ROSEBURG, Ore. – A blue-green algae bloom in a popular Oregon tourist destination has put water sports on hold.

The the algae bloom at Diamond Lake and the South Umpqua River has led health officials to warn visitors not to drink the water or swim in the lake.

The toxins in blue-green algae can’t be filtered out by boiling water, and most private water treatment systems aren’t capable of removing the toxins.

The invasive fish species tui chub eats zooplankton, which eats the algae. Other Oregon resorts that have removed tui chub report no problems with blue-green algae.