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Harmful bacteria bloom found in Charles River
The bacteria can be dangerous to humans and animals, health officials say.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has listed part of the Charles River in a harmful cyanobacterial bloom advisory.
The area stretches between the Charles River Dam and Longfellow Bridge, according to the department.
The health department identified the bloom from water quality data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which indicates a “high risk” of estimated cyanobacterial bloom.
The blooms can occur at any time but are most common in the late summer and early fall. Some cyanobacteria produce toxins that can be dangerous.
“Algae blooms can be harmful to humans and animals,” health officials said.
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Cyanobacterial blooms are becoming more frequent and severe as a result of climate change, according to the Charles River Watershed Association.
“Excess phosphorus from stormwater runoff and warmer temperatures cause cyanobacteria populations to explode into a toxic bloom, releasing dangerous cyanotoxins that threaten public health, are fatal to pets, and are harmful to the ecosystem,” according to the association.
The association has a flagging program that sends live water quality alerts for the Charles River.
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