Toxic algae found in Lake Mary Ronan

An algal bloom that can sicken people or pets has been confirmed in Lake Mary Ronan, near the northeast shoreline of the lake just west of Flathead Lake, warned officials with Lake County Environmental Health.

According to the health department, a local reported the algae and county officials collected several water samples on Aug. 7. Oscillatoria, a type of harmful algal species that can produce toxins known as cyanotoxins, was identified in one of the samples from the northeast shoreline. 

No cyanotoxins were detected in the samples. Cyanotoxins can be produced at any time when a bloom is present and remain in the water column even after the bloom has visually dissipated.