Algae bloom taints Hills Creek Lake.

Byline: The Register-Guard

A toxic algae bloom in Hills Creek Lake, located four miles south of Oakridge, has prompted state health officials to warn against drinking the water or eating the fish until further notice.

Children and pets are especially vulnerable, but everybody should avoid swallowing or inhaling water droplets or splashing water on the skin, state toxicologists warn.

Symptoms of blue-green algae poisoning include numbness, tingling and dizziness and can lead to difficulty breathing or heart problems - and require immediate medical attention.

Other problems, such as skin irritation, weakness, diarrhea, nausea, cramps and fainting need medical attention when they persist.

Boiling, filtering or treating water will not remove the toxins.

If anglers choose to eat the fish, all fat, skin and organs must be removed before cooking. Officials, however, recommend that anglers practice catch-and-release fishing until the bloom is over. Blooms can last for days or months.

The reservoir will be open for camping, hiking, picnicking and bird watching, but visitors should take care to avoid contact with the water.

For more information, call the Willamette National Forest at [phone] or go on the Web to www.oregon.gov/ DHS/ph/envtox/maadvisories .shtml.