Central Texas Dog Owners Warned About Deadly Algae In Highlands Lake

The Lower Colorado River Authority is telling Central Texas dog owners to keep their pups out of the Highlands Lake.

The LCRA found cyanotoxins in Inks Lake, Lake Marble Falls and Lake Travis. Cyanotoxins are produced by blue-green algae and can be fatal to dogs.

“The key here is not to let your guard down,’’ said John Hofmann, LCRA executive vice president of water. “We encourage people in the strongest terms possible not to let dogs play near algae in the lakes. Our tests show what was present at the specific site we tested on the day we took the samples, but conditions can change."

The toxic algae killed at least five dogs in the Austin area in 2019, KVUE reported.

“Blue green algae are common in Texas lakes, and it is not easy to predict if or when algae will start producing toxins. Out of an abundance of caution – whether our tests detectedtoxic algae in the area or not – we encourage people to avoid contact with algae in the lakes, and to especially make sure dogs don’t play in or eat it," Hofmann told the station.

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