Loosened Algae Floats In Columbia

Thu., May 25, 2000

Anglers on Lake Roosevelt in Stevens and Ferry counties have been spotting what appears to be matted toilet paper in the water and on rocks along the banks, but there’s no need to call a plumber.

The state Department of Ecology said Wednesday that a microscopic examination showed the unsightly substance is harmless algae, tentatively identified as chaetophora.

“Most likely this algae began to show up when the water level in the Kootenay and Columbia rivers was dropped at the dams in order to improve rainbow trout spawning habitat,” said Carl Nuechterlein of department’s water quality section in Spokane.

He said the algae apparently floated downstream after being stripped from rocks when the water level was restored.

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