Lake Hodges algae bloom status

Lake Hodges algae bloom history

California's Water Boards hold 3 bloom reports for Lake Hodges going back to 2018. Reports came in every year since then.

State staff recommended an advisory 1 time: 1 Caution. Caution is the lowest level and means people and pets should stay away from scum and discoloured water.

Blooms have been recorded every year for the last 3 years in the data.

When do algae blooms happen at Lake Hodges?

At Lake Hodges, reports are most often logged in January, May and August.

Unusually, about 33% of reports here fall between November and February, so blooms aren't only a summer problem at Lake Hodges. 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 Lake Hodges algae reports

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 Lake Hodges 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 Lake Hodges in January, May and August.

• 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

• San Dieguito River5 km away, 2 reports, last in 2023
• Lake San Marcos12 km away, 5 reports, last in 2023
• San Luis Rey River21 km away, 2 reports, last in 2026
• Kumeyaay Lake24 km away, 2 reports, last in 2025
• Lindo Lake28 km away, 5 reports, last in 2024

All San Diego County lakes with algae reports

Questions about Lake Hodges

Is there algae in Lake Hodges right now?

There are no bloom reports for Lake Hodges in the last 30 days of California's data. The most recent was a bloom report on 24 August 2020 at Lake Hodges. 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 Lake Hodges?

The most recent entry in California's data is from 24 August 2020 at Lake Hodges: a bloom report.

Has Lake Hodges had toxic algae before?

Yes. Blooms are recorded every year from 2018 to 2020, most often in January, May and August.

Can dogs swim in Lake Hodges?

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 Lake Hodges 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.