No neurotoxins were detected in the SPATT (Solid Phase Adsorption Toxin Testing) bag at Travis Landing this month but on September 27 the City of Austin reported finding cyanotoxins in Lady Bird Lake and Barton Creek. LCRA is therefore advising us to keep a look out for any blue-green algae near our shoreline. All types of algae thrive in warm shallow water with little movement, such as that surrounding our peninsula and we must keep our dogs away from it.

 

Three different toxins were found in Lady Bird Lake. They were in algae samples taken on September 13 from Cold Spring, between MoPac and Red Bud Isle, Auditorium Shores, South First Street bridge and the Festival boat ramp. Some sites had only dihydroanatoxin (the main cyanotoxin found at Travis Landing) and some had both cylindrospermopsin and homoanatoxin-a. All three toxins were found in samples from Red Bud Isle and it remains closed with warnings posted for pet owners. Algae can move around, however and may be present in other areas of the lake. Mats of algae are often mixed in with other vegetation, especially an aquatic plant called Cabomba.