Reservoir north of Pasco closed because of toxic algae. It can kill dogs

Scooteney Reservoir north of Pasco in Franklin County has been closed after toxic levels of algae were discovered there this week.

The reservoir between Connell and Othello has levels of the blue-green algae, Microcystin that can harm people or animals swimming or wading in the water.

The toxin is especially dangerous to small children and animals that ingest the water.

There were reports last summer of dogs in North Carolina and Georgia that died within days of drinking similarly contaminated water.

Symptoms can appear in people in 30 minutes to 24 hours. They include jaundice, shock, abdominal pain, weakness, vomiting, severe thirst and a pulse that may be rapid or weak. Skin contact with the water can cause rashes.

The toxin, which appears periodically in Scooteney Reservoir, usually remains for about a week before the bloom disappears. The bloom can look like green paint floating on the water, but can also look bluish, brownish or reddish green.