Cedar Creek algae bloom history
California's Water Boards hold 4 bloom reports for Cedar Creek going back to 2022. Reports came in during 2 of the 4 years since then, with the busiest year being 2022 (2 reports).
State staff recommended an advisory 2 times: 2 Danger. Danger is the highest level and means people and pets were told to stay out of the water and off the shore.
- 2022 2 reports
- 2023 None
- 2024 None
- 2025 2 reports
When do algae blooms happen at Cedar Creek?
At Cedar Creek, reports are most often logged in May and December.
Unusually, about 50% of reports here fall between November and February, so blooms aren't only a summer problem at Cedar Creek. Some of this reflects when the lake is monitored, not just when blooms happen.
Blooms can appear, move with the wind and fade within hours or days, so the time of year is only a guide.
Recent Cedar Creek algae reports
Recent reports came from 3 different locations around Cedar Creek, including Cedar Creek Falls, Cedar Creek 2 (907CCCR02) and Cedar Creek at the falls. A bloom in one cove or beach doesn't mean the whole lake is affected, and conditions can differ a short distance away.
| Date | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 30 December 2025 | Cedar Creek Falls | Bloom reported |
| 6 May 2025 | Cedar Creek 2 (907CCCR02) | Bloom reported |
| 30 December 2022 | Cedar Creek at the falls | Danger |
| 16 May 2022 | Cedar Creek at the falls | Danger |
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 Cedar Creek 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.
- 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.
Read the full guide to toxic algae and dogs: symptoms, what to do in the first minutes and how vets treat it.
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
- Agua Caliente Creek6 km away, 2 reports, last in 2023
- Lindo Lake22 km away, 5 reports, last in 2024
- Lake Henshaw26 km away, 10 reports, last in 2022
- Pine Valley Creek27 km away, 2 reports, last in 2023
- Kumeyaay Lake32 km away, 2 reports, last in 2025
Questions about Cedar Creek
Is there algae in Cedar Creek right now?
There are no bloom reports for Cedar Creek in the last 30 days of California's data. The most recent was a bloom report on 30 December 2025 at Cedar Creek Falls. 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 Cedar Creek?
The most recent entry in California's data is from 30 December 2025 at Cedar Creek Falls: a bloom report.
Has Cedar Creek had toxic algae before?
Yes. Blooms are recorded in 2 of the 4 years from 2022 to 2025, most often in May and December.
Can dogs swim in Cedar Creek?
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 Cedar Creek 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.
About this data
This page uses official records from the California State Water Resources Control Board, which updated daily. Reports are grouped by waterbody. The site was last rebuilt on 24 October 2026.
States only test some lakes, some of the time, so a lake without a recent report hasn't necessarily been checked. This page is independent, isn't affiliated with the State of California, and isn't health advice. View the source data.