Algae bloom reported on Salmon Lake, may be toxic

SALMON LAKE – Thursday afternoon, Oct. 1 Clearwater Resource Council collected samples of a possible blue-green algae south of Salmon Lake State Park after getting a report of the bloom. The Flathead Lake Biological Station confirmed Monday morning that it is Anabaena. This genera may produce different toxins including anatoxin and microcystin that can make people very sick and be deadly to animals.

Anatoxin is a neurotoxin that affects the nervous system. Signs can appear within 15 -20 minutes after ingestion. Signs include numbness of the lips, tingling in fingers and toes, stumbling, seizur...