OAKLAND (KRON) — With soaring temperatures in the Bay Area, Lake Temescal in the Oakland Hills is a popular destination, but a stubborn algae infestation continues to keep people away from the lake’s beach and out of the water.
The lake has been closed since June 30 after East Bay Regional Parks officials detected high levels of the toxic blue-green algae. The water is closed to swimmers and officials issued a warning that the toxic algae can be fatal to dogs.
The 13-acre lake has since been treated with an oxidizing agent known as Pak 27 to try and address the problem. But so far the treatment hasn’t worked.
Officials say the drought and warm conditions are leading to more frequent toxic algae blooms. Last summer, Lake Temescal was closed for more than two months because of the same problem.
The park district says it has been working with the Environmental Protection Agency as well as public health departments to monitor the current situation.