Toxic algae plagues beaches at Iowa’s state parks

DES MOINES, Iowa — The state is closing Iowa beaches at record numbers this year because of toxic blue-green algae that makes the water unsafe for families and their pets.

So far, Iowa state park beaches have been closed 25 times this year, outpacing 2013, when beaches were closed two-dozen times.

And more closures are expected before the summer ends.

The state tests weekly for microcystins — a toxin that can be produced by blue green algae — at nearly 40 state park lakes. But experts warn that dozens of other public and private lakes are not tested by the state and could be befouled with toxic algal blooms.

“We advise people if you see that really scummy water to stay out of it. There’s no way of knowing for sure if it’s producing toxins or not,” said Mary Skopec, an Iowa Department of Natural Resources water quality expert. “It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Since 2006, the state has issued 139 beach warnings for high microcystin levels.

The U.S. Corps of Engineers also closed two beaches at Saylorville Lake because of toxic algal blooms this week.

Children and pets are especially vulnerable to microcystin poisoning, since they are more likely to ingest the toxins from their skin or fur, said Susan Heathcote, a water program director at the Iowa Environmental Council. The toxins can be deadly to pets and livestock.

People exposed to the toxins can experience skin rashes, hives or blisters, stomach pain and nausea, among other symptoms.

The blooms are caused by high levels of nutrients — primarily phosphorus, but also nitrogen — along with warm temperatures. The issue is more prevalent on lakes than rivers and streams.

The large number of toxic algae blooms has the Des Moines Water Works on alert, but it’s not threatening drinking water for about 500,000 customers, said Bill Stowe, the utility’s CEO.

Toxic blue-green algae forced Toledo, Ohio, to shut down its public drinking water last year. The water was undrinkable for two days.

The increasing number of beach alerts has Stowe, Heathcote and others saying the state needs to take more action to reduce the nutrients entering Iowa’s waterways.

The state has adopted the Nutrient Reduction Strategy that is intended to reduce levels of nitrogen and phosphorus from farm fields, wastewater treatment plants and wastewater treatment plants, among other sources.

“The underlying issue is too many nutrients in the water, and given our watersheds, those nutrients aren’t coming from urban or suburban lawns, but agricultural pollution,” Stowe said.

The Des Moines utility is suing three rural counties — Buena Vista, Calhoun and Sac — claiming drainage districts there act as conduits that move excessive nitrates from farm fields into the Raccoon River.

The utility is seeking federal oversight of the drainage districts, and indirectly farmers, under the Clean Water Act. Leaders have criticized the state’s voluntary nutrient reduction plan, saying its ineffective.

State leaders say a cooperative approach is needed to address Iowa’s complex water quality challenges. The plan has only been in place for two years.

Attorneys for the counties have denied the field tiles that help drain water from farmland are contributing to Des Moines’ nitrate problems. They seek to have the lawsuit dismissed.