The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has lifted the harmful algae bloom (HAB) advisory for Lake Anna due to the end of the recreational season. HABs have affected various branches of Lake Anna since June, with advisories expanded in July to include additional areas. Recent samples from mid-October showed acceptable bacteria levels, meeting the criteria to lift the advisory, despite earlier September samples showing unsafe levels.
The Virginia Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force, which includes VDH and other state agencies, has suspended response sampling for the season. Although HABs may persist in some areas, the public is advised to avoid discolored or scummy water as it could contain toxins. Depending on weather conditions, the Task Force plans to resume monitoring in May 2025.
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Amazon Web Services has signed three new agreements to develop nuclear power projects for energizing its massive data centers, including one with Virginia’s Dominion Energy.
The Dominion agreement includes exploring the development of Small Modular Reactors, a kind of nuclear reactor with a smaller physical footprint that allows them to be built closer to the grid, and with faster build and delivery times. The project would be near Dominion’s existing nuclear power facilities at Virginia’s Lake Anna.
Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has extended a swimming advisory for Lake Anna as a harmful algae bloom continues. The VDH cautioned this algae bloom is not connected to the Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) outbreak that occurred after Memorial Day.
According to the VDH, some harmful algae, called cyanobacteria, can cause skin rashes and gastrointestinal illnesses. Algae blooms can occur when warm water and nutrients combine to make conditions favorable for algae growth. Most algae species are harmless; however, some species may produce irritating compounds or toxins. Avoid discolored water or scums that are green or bluish-green because they are more likely to contain toxins.
The VDH's Harmful Algal Bloom map shows which areas to avoid, and VDH provides a status report containing the updated advisory areas.
The sections of the lake currently under a swimming advisory due to unsafe levels of cyanobacteria are:
North Anna Branch (advisory extended)
- Upper North Anna Branch - From the upper inundated waters of the North Anna arm, to include the “Sandbar” of the lake and downstream to the Route 522 Bridge.
- Upper and Middle North Anna Branch -Â From the Route 522 Bridge, to include Route 719 (Holladay Bridge), to Lumsden Flats at Rose Valley Drive
Pamunkey Branch (advisory added)
- Upper-Upper Pamunkey Branch-Â From the upper inundated waters of Pamunkey Branch to Runnymede Park
- Upper Pamunkey Branch – From Runnymede Park to the confluence with Terry's Run
- Middle Pamunkey Branch – From confluence with Terry’s Run to Route 612 (Stubbs Bridge)
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Virginia’s Department of Health (VDH) has set up an outbreak investigation website documenting the outbreak of Shiga toxin-inducing Escherichia coli (E. coli) infections in Lake Anna swimmers. 25 cases have been confirmed, and the only known common factor is swimming in the lake on Memorial Day weekend.
VDH says 76% of cases are children and 21 are Virginia residents. 7 cases developed Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a rare complication that affects kidney functions. As Potomac Local previously reported, several children were hospitalized and on dialysis due to the severity of their symptoms.
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Randal Brown, of Augusta County, near Charlottesville, said his family visited the lake on May 25 and May 26. Everyone went swimming and ate the same food. His son Bentley, who just turned eight, was the only one to get sick. The family went to the Augusta Health ER on May 30 when Bentley had severe stomach pain.
He was diagnosed with a virus and discharged, Randal said. The ER doctors said he would be OK to travel, but during the next day’s drive to Florida, he started having bloody diarrhea. After consulting with their pediatrician, the family went to a pediatric ER in Florida, where Bentley was admitted and diagnosed with E. coli that evening. Randal said his son had been showing some improvement, and they were able to drive home on June 7 before his son’s symptoms worsened again.
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The Virginia Department of Health has confirmed to Potomac Local it has launched an investigation after multiple people fell ill after swimming at Lake Anna over Memorial Day weekend. While the state health agency has not said how many are sick, all have reported gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses. According to agency spokeswoman Brookie Crawford, some have been diagnosed with Escherichia coli (E. coli) infections.
*Update 06/06/24 3:14 p.m.* VDH has confirmed it is actively investigating 10 cases, with several others reported but unconfirmed.
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"The public is advised to avoid contact with this specific area of the lake until algae concentrations return to acceptable levels. Some harmful algae, called cyanobacteria, can cause skin rash and gastrointestinal illnesses, such as upset stomach, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea."
"The area to avoid can be seen on an interactive Harmful Algal Bloommap."
