News Releases on Golden Alga
Golden alga levels dropping at Altus City Lake (10/27/05)
Golden alga in Altus City Lake appears to have dropped to non-toxic levels after causing a minor fish kill over the weekend said Larry Cofer, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation southwest region fisheries supervisor.
Agency officials were called Monday to investigate the cause of approximately 1,500 dead fish on the east side of the 140-acre Altus City Lake. Officials attributed the kill to golden alga, a naturally-occurring type of algae that secretes a fish-killing toxin when it blooms. Less than one percent of the affected fish were sport fish. The majority were shad.
“Our samples revealed a low amount of golden alga in the water,” Cofer said. “We’ve since been monitoring daily, and so far, it appears the golden alga is being suppressed naturally.”
City officials are working closely with agency biologists who will continue to monitor Altus City Lake and surrounding waters for golden alga. This is the second year golden alga has affected this water body. The microscopic organism first appeared in Oklahoma at Lake Texoma in January 2004.
Golden alga blooms typically occur in winter months and often leave a golden-yellow ring around the lake shoreline. The alga is found worldwide in both marine and freshwater systems, preferring saline (salty) waters. There is currently no short-term solution to combat golden alga, but groundbreaking research is focused on affected inland water bodies. For more information about golden alga, go to wildlifedepartment.com/golden_alga.htm.
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Golden alga causes fish kill at Altus City Lake (9/9/04)
Fisheries biologists have corralled a golden alga bloom at Altus City Lake – at least for now. A toxic bloom of the alga killed thousands of fish recently in a 22-acre portion of the southwestern Oklahoma municipal lake.
“Fortunately, the area was small enough and we were able to treat it and keep the golden alga from spreading and killing even more fish,” said Larry Cofer, southwest region fisheries supervisor for the Wildlife Department.
Golden alga has caused massive fish kills on Texas lakes in recent years and a minor fish kill on Lake Texoma late last spring. Blooms from the aquatic plant produce a toxin that is deadly to fish. It is not a health threat to humans, other wildlife or livestock.
In cooperation with the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and officials from the Wildlife Department, City of Altus personnel treated the Altus City Lake with ammonium sulfate to hinder the spread of the golden alga. Fisheries biologists spread the chemical at a specific dose in order to kill the alga while minimizing the harm to fish.
“It looks like it has worked. The most recent water tests showed no golden algae in Altus City Lake, and our sampling showed that we saved quite a few fish. Now we just have to hope it doesn’t come back,” Cofer said. “Most importantly we were able to stop or at least slow down the spread of this dangerous alga. This treatment will also help us further our knowledge for possible future treatments in case it turns up in other small lakes.”
Water samples were taken from waters located both above and below the lake, according to Cofer. All tests came back negative except for a sample taken from the western portion of Altus City Lake. Altus City Lake actually has two reservoirs (22 acres and 100 acres) divided by a road.
Cofer along with other aquatic resource biologists from around the state are continuing to monitor the golden alga status in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Golden Alga Response Team (OGART) was formed to unify these efforts. Made up of a diverse group of state, federal and educational organizations, the Team is working to devise efficient and effective plans to respond to potential golden alga fish kills. The Team is also looking for proactive solutions to potential future golden alga blooms.
To learn more about golden alga log on to
http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/nuisancespecies.htm. The site includes a wide variety of information about harmful golden alga blooms, including scientific research updates, frequently asked questions and up-to-date news.Anglers who observe fish dying in a particular area of an Oklahoma lake can report their observations to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s Fisheries Division at (405) 521-3721.
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Second Lake Texoma fish kill linked to golden alga (3/18/04)
State fisheries biologists from Oklahoma and Texas are working together to investigate a fish kill in the five-mile area between Cedar Mills and Highport Marina on the Texas side of Lake Texoma. Biologists have confirmed that golden alga is to blame.
Initial estimates place the loss at upwards of one half million fish, based on fisheries surveys conducted along the Big Mineral Arm of the reservoir March 12. Threadfin shad, an abundant forage fish, comprised the vast majority of the kill, but some largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill were
also affected. Fisheries biologists had been monitoring the 89,000-acre reservoir for possible spread of the toxic golden alga since a fish kill back in January in the Lebanon pool in upper Lake Texoma was traced to golden alga.Texas fisheries biologists were the first to discover a golden alga fish kill in inland waters in the Western Hemisphere when a fish kill was identified in the Pecos River in 1985. Since 2001, golden alga fish kills have occurred on 23 reservoirs in Texas. The toxin has also been linked to subsequent fish kills in North Carolina, South Carolina and New Mexico. Lake Texoma is the first reported finding in the Red River basin downstream of Lake Kemp, located southwest of Wichita Falls, TX.
Golden algal blooms typically occur in winter months, often leaving a golden yellow ring around the lake shoreline. Golden alga (Prymnesium parvum) is native to estuarine habitats around the world. It is not known if the alga is a native or exotic species to inland waters.
“This fish kill is of particular concern due to the fact that it took place in the main body of the lake, while the first kill was in the more isolated Lebanon Pool,” said Paul Mauck, south central region fisheries supervisor for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. “When the alga blooms it kills fish by releasing toxins into the water that cause fish gills to hemorrhage. The good news is that there is no evidence to suggest the toxins are a threat to human health.”
To learn more about golden alga log on www.tpwd.state.tx.us/hab. The site includes a wide variety of information about harmful golden alga blooms, including scientific research updates, frequently asked questions and up-to-date news.
Anglers who observe fish dying in a particular area of the lake can report their observations to Paul Mauck at (580) 924-4087 or to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s Fisheries Division at (405) 521-3721.
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Fish kill near Lake Texoma linked to golden alga 1/29/04
State biologists from Oklahoma and Texas are working together to investigate a minor fish kill near the Red River upstream of Lake Texoma. Biologists believe golden alga found in water samples taken from the area was to blame. This is the first time the naturally occurring toxin has been documented in Oklahoma, and officials view it as an isolated event.
Reports by area fishing guides Jan. 22 of dead and dying gar and shad in Lebanon Pool, a 150-acre off-channel lake in upper Lake Texoma, sparked investigations by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
All the initial symptoms of the dead fish point to golden alga, according to Paul Mauck, south central region fisheries supervisor for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The alga kills fish by releasing toxins into the water that cause fish gills to bleed internally. There is no evidence to suggest the toxins are a threat to human health.
Water samples taken from Lebanon Pool revealed high levels of golden alga, however, subsequent samples from the Red River upstream and downstream have been sent to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department fisheries lab in Waco, TX for further analysis.
“We’re going to keep a very close eye on this,” said Kim Erickson, fisheries chief for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. “Right now we’re optimistic that this bloom will remain isolated in the Lebanon Pool, but biologists from both Oklahoma and Texas will be working in the area taking water samples and looking for any more fish kills.”
Texas fisheries biologists were the first to discover a golden alga fish kill in inland waters in the Western Hemisphere when a fish kill was identified in the Pecos River in 1985. Since 2001, golden alga fish kills have occurred on 23 reservoirs in Texas. The toxin has also been linked to subsequent fish kills in North Carolina, South Carolina and New Mexico. This is the first reported finding in the Red River basin downstream of Lake Kemp, located southwest of Wichita Falls, TX.
Golden algal blooms typically occur in winter months, often leaving a golden yellow ring around the lake shoreline. Golden alga (Prymnesium parvum) is native to estuarine habitats around the world. It is not known if the alga is a native or exotic species to inland waters.
To learn more about golden alga log on www.tpwd.state.tx.us/hab. The site includes a wide variety of information about harmful golden algal blooms, including scientific research updates, frequently asked questions and up-to-date news.
Anglers who see a fish kill or potential golden algal bloom can the call the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s fishery division at (405) 521-3721.
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Striped bass populations on the rise at Lake Texoma (4/29/04)
The waters of Lake Texoma are heating up and so is the fishing. Anglers are reporting excellent striped bass fishing on the south central Oklahoma impoundment.
"The striped bass population is in really good shape right now," said Paul Mauck, south-central region fisheries supervisor for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. " A 12 percent increase in striped bass numbers was observed over levels found in 2003 and stripers 20 inches and larger comprised 25 percent of the total striper population."
According to Mauck, numerous anglers have reported 10-pound stripers and several striper catches have exceeded 20 pounds. Known for their outstanding fighting abilities, striped bass are long-lived and fast growing. Stripers are voracious predators with a diet consisting mainly of threadfin and gizzard shad.
"One of the reasons the stripers are doing so well right now is that their forage populations are also really healthy," Mauck said. “We can look forward to a great year of fishing, not just for stripers but also for smallmouth bass, catfish and many other species.
Recent netting data showed that striped bass populations are the highest they have been at Lake Texoma since 2001. Fisheries biologists with the Wildlife Department and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department work together to manage the expansive reservoir that straddles the Oklahoma/Texas border.
According to Mauck, the recent toxic golden alga outbreak had a minimal effect on the overall Lake Texoma fishery. No fish mortality has been observed for several weeks and the number of golden alga cells has significantly declined over the past month.
Besides getting Texoma fishing reports on the Department's Web site, www.wildlifedepartment.com, additional information can be found at www.sixoldgeezers.com. The site offers fishing reports, lodging and guide information, as well as a great variety of links that can provide all the information needed for a trip to Texoma.
Those fishing Lake Texoma need either an Oklahoma or Texas annual fishing license, depending on which state's waters they will be fishing, or anglers can purchase an annual Lake Texoma Fishing License for $12.00. The Lake Texoma license is valid for the entire lake, and is good for both the Oklahoma and Texas sides.
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