Black Butte Reservoir algae bloom status

Black Butte Reservoir algae bloom history

California's Water Boards hold 4 bloom reports for Black Butte Reservoir going back to 2017. Reports came in during 3 of the 7 years since then, with the busiest year being 2019 (2 reports).

State staff recommended an advisory 3 times: 3 Caution. Caution is the lowest level and means people and pets should stay away from scum and discoloured water.

When do algae blooms happen at Black Butte Reservoir?

At Black Butte Reservoir, reports are most often logged in May and June.

About 100% of reports fall between May and September, when warm, calm, sunny weather lets blue-green algae multiply.

Blooms can appear, move with the wind and fade within hours or days, so the time of year is only a guide.

Recent Black Butte Reservoir algae reports

Recent reports came from 3 different locations around Black Butte Reservoir, including Buckhorn Campsite, Black Butte Reservoir and Black Butte Reservoir Borrow Ponds. A bloom in one cove or beach doesn't mean the whole lake is affected, and conditions can differ a short distance away.

What the California results mean

California recommends one of three advisory levels when a bloom is checked, matched to the signs posted at the shore.

Caution

Toxins may be present. Stay away from scum and keep pets and livestock from drinking the water.

Warning

Toxins are at higher levels. No swimming, and keep children and pets away from the water.

Danger

High toxin levels. Stay out of the water and off the shore until further notice.

Bloom reported

A bloom was reported, often by a member of the public, without a formal advisory level.

Is Black Butte Reservoir safe for dogs?

Dogs are at the greatest risk from toxic algae. They swallow water while swimming, eat scum on the shore and lick algae off their fur afterwards, and a small amount can kill a dog within hours. With blooms recorded in 3 different years here, take particular care at Black Butte Reservoir in May and June.

• Keep your dog on a lead near water that looks green, scummy, foamy or discoloured, and away from algae washed up on the shore.
• If your dog gets in, rinse it straight away with clean water and don't let it lick its coat.
• Call a vet immediately if your dog vomits, drools, has diarrhoea, staggers, shakes or seems weak after being near the water.

Health effects of toxic algae

Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) can produce toxins that affect the liver, nervous system and skin. Swallowing water during a bloom can cause stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. Skin contact can cause rashes, and breathing spray from the water can irritate the eyes, nose and throat. Children are at higher risk because they are smaller and more likely to swallow water.

How to spot a bloom

Toxic blooms can look like pea soup, spilled paint or green streaks on the surface, and they can also be blue, brown, white or red. Scum often collects along the shore downwind. If you can't see your feet in knee-deep water, or you aren't sure, stay out.

Don't drink untreated lake water, and don't boil it to make it safe: boiling doesn't destroy algal toxins. If you feel unwell after contact with the water, contact a doctor or Poison Control on 1-800-222-1222.

Nearby lakes with algae reports

• Other Lake Or Reservoir12 km away, 3 reports, last in 2019
• Corbin Creek43 km away, 3 reports, last in 2023
• Horseshoe Lake49 km away, 2 reports, last in 2025
• East Park Reservoir54 km away, 3 reports, last in 2025

All Tehama County lakes with algae reports

Questions about Black Butte Reservoir

Is there algae in Black Butte Reservoir right now?

There are no bloom reports for Black Butte Reservoir in the last 30 days of California's data. The most recent was a bloom report on 9 June 2023 at Buckhorn Campsite. California's data is checked every day, so for today's conditions check the California HABs Portal map and the signs at the shore.

When was the last algae bloom at Black Butte Reservoir?

The most recent entry in California's data is from 9 June 2023 at Buckhorn Campsite: a bloom report.

Has Black Butte Reservoir had toxic algae before?

Yes. Blooms are recorded in 3 of the 7 years from 2017 to 2023, most often in May and June.

Can dogs swim in Black Butte Reservoir?

Keep dogs out of the water whenever a bloom is reported or the water looks green, scummy or discoloured. Dogs are the animals most often killed by algal toxins because they swallow water and lick their fur. If your dog swims in water that might have algae, rinse it with clean water and call a vet if it vomits, drools, staggers or seems weak.

Can you eat fish caught in Black Butte Reservoir during a bloom?

If you keep fish caught during a bloom, health agencies advise removing the guts and liver and rinsing the fillets in clean water before cooking, because toxins collect most in the organs. Some agencies advise not eating fish from an active bloom at all, so follow local guidance.