LCRA  has taken the first steps to enable Colorado River Watch Network (CRWN) volunteers to test for toxins; something previously impossible due to the lack of test strips. Companies such as Eurofins Scientific simply did not manufacture test strips for the cyanotoxins found in the Highland Lakes, so water or algae samples had to be sent away to either the University of Texas or commercial laboratories for tests costing up to $800 each. Thea Frederickson, our local LCRA biologist, has now obtained test strips for Cylindrospermin (CYN) and is working with Susan Meckel of CRWN to produce a video and training course for volunteers, to ensure that volunteers can use them properly and LCRA can trust the results. 

 

Although CYN has not as yet been detected at Travis Landing, it was found in blue-green algae at Lady Bird Lake and Barton Creek in September 2021 and biologists believe it is probably already present here. Originally discovered in Queensland, Australia, CYN is toxic to liver and kidney tissues, generally causing gastroenteritis as it did with people and dogs who ingested it around Red Bud Isle. 

 

LCRA has not said whether CYN test strips will be followed by others for Dihydroanatoxin-a, the cyanotoxin found here in 2021, or Homoanatoxin-a, found in other Austin waterways, both of which are neurotoxins and can be lethal for dogs. However, the fact that LCRA is investing in test strips and training is an important step forward in helping to keep our community safe from toxins along the shoreline, especially while lake levels are so low. 

 

Here is the latest summary of Travis Landing results collected by John Anderson for the CRWN. All of the test results for January are within range except for dissolved oxygen which has dropped still further to only 3 mg/L. To see historic data going back to May 2021, go to the LCRA Site List and the entry for Site 463 (Travis Landing), located in segment 1404.