A potentially toxic algae is spreading in a Southland lagoon.
Waituna Lagoon Photo: Flickr / Department of Conservation / Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
Southland Regional Council is warning it has found high concentrations of the blue-green algae planktonic cyanobacteria in Waituna Lagoon on the southern coast.
The council said the floating algae can produce toxins harmful to people and animals.
It is not the first time high levels of the algae have been found in the lagoon.
Hundreds of eels have died, along with carp and flying insects, in the wake of a massive algal bloom at Lake Omapere near Kaikohe.
A health warning has been issued for parts of two rivers in South Canterbury, where high levels of potentially toxic blue-green algae have been found.
A health warning has been issued for parts of the Rakahuri/Ashley River in Canterbury, where high levels of potentially toxic blue-green algae have been found.
Otago Regional Council is warning water users to avoid the confluence of Dunstan Creek and Manuherikia River today after toxic blue-green algae was discovered in the area.
Those gearing up for a summer of cooling off in their favourite local swimming hole are being warned to check first for signs of blue green algae.
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