Recreational use health advisory lifted July 19 for Lake Billy Chinook.
Reduced cyanobacteria and cyanotoxin levels confirmed
The Oregon Health Authority has lifted the recreational use health advisory issued June 22 and expanded on July 11 for Lake Billy Chinook, located about 12 miles west of Madras, in Jefferson County.
Water monitoring has confirmed that the level of cyanotoxins (harmful algae toxins) in the reservoir are below recreational guideline values for human exposure. However, Oregon Health officials advise recreational visitors to always be alert to signs of cyanobacterial (harmful algae) blooms in all Oregon waters, because blooms can develop and disappear throughout the season. Only a fraction of the many lakes and waterways in Oregon are monitored for cyanobacteria by state, federal and local agencies, therefore, you are your own best advocate when it comes to keeping you and your family safe while recreating.
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