Recreational Precautions Put On Devils Lake

A recent DEQ sampling of Devils Lake found a microcystin level of 0.18 ug/L. Based on Oregon Health Authority’s 2026 pilot protocol, the Devils Lake Water Improvement District is placing recreational “precautions” on waterbodies that have a cyanobacterial blooms or low-level detections and will keep the waterbody at precaution status until the bloom dissipates.

A value of 0.18 ug/L is considered safe for human recreation, but close to OHA’s pet safety value of 0.20 ug/L . When OHA issues precautions we add a precaution symbol on our webmap and update the waterbody with information about the precaution, including any toxin data we receive from future sampling. OHA does not issue press releases for precautions.

When a waterbody has a potential for water quality and harmful algeal blooms it is recommended to use caution in these waters. It is advised to be careful swimming or recreating in the water as spray from the water if ingested cauld cause sickness. It is also advised to keep pets away from the water and avoid them drinking the water as well as they can also become very ill.

The District provides weekly water testing, Memorial Day-Labor Day. In the event of high e. Coli levels or harmful algae blooms (HABs), additional information and notices will be posted. When in doubt stay out.