Tests show low levels of algal blooms in the lakes at Fairmount Park in Riverside, officials confirmed Friday, Aug. 2, nearly a week after testing the water following the discovery of dead ducks.
Toxic algal blooms have been found in Inland Empire lakes this year, but city officials in Riverside have not found “significant” blooms so far, Riverside police spokesperson Ryan Railsback said Friday.
Testing on the dead ducks will take several weeks.
“The results from the test just revealed low levels of algae bloom,” said Railsback, “especially one of the larger lakes over there.”
The water level in both lakes is back up to full and park staff continues to work with the Regional Water Quality Control Board and California Environmental Protections Agency, Railsback said. Caution signs have also been put up throughout the perimeter of the water, he said.
The water is being treated by park staff until it’s back in a safe condition.
“With two giant lakes, it takes a little bit of time for them to test where it’s at,” Railsback said. “With the Water Quality Board and environmental protection agencies, there’s testing levels … so it’s going to take a bit longer to get those results back and for treatment to get it to acceptable levels.”
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It may be a couple weeks before officials have results of the necropsies performed on the ducks, Railsback said, but those will show the cause of death for the birds.
In the meantime, city staff has been collaborating with duck sanctuaries for temporary placements of the ducks and geese at the park, Railsback said.
Within the last few days, no more animal injuries or deaths have been reported, Railsback said.
