COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) has issued a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Recreational Watch for portions of Lake Hartwell following multiple reports of algal growth in the area.
Affected Areas
The advisory covers several locations, including:
- Eighteenmile Creek lake arm and adjacent areas
- Tugaloo River lake arm near Chickasaw Point
- Cove south of Providence Church Road in Anderson County
Field teams collected water samples and confirmed the presence of a cyanobacteria algal bloom, capable of producing cyanotoxins. Current cyanotoxin levels are low and below state recreational criteria.
Health Risks and Safety Recommendations
Algal blooms can pose health risks to people and pets. Common symptoms include stomach pain, skin rash, headaches, coughing, and watery eyes.
SCDES advises:
- Checking the water for visible blooms before swimming
- Avoiding direct contact with areas showing algal growth
- Keeping pets and livestock from swimming in or drinking affected water
Ongoing Monitoring
SCDES will continue monitoring Lake Hartwell for additional blooms. Citizens who spot a potential algal bloom are encouraged to report it by contacting SCDES’s Bureau of Water HAB line at 803-898-8374 or emailing [email protected].
