Harbor Park Lake Reopened as ‘Toxin’ Proves to Be Algae
Los Angeles city recreation officials reopened Machado Lake at Harbor Regional Park on Wednesday, one week after a heavy film of algae was mistakenly believed to be latex paint or a similarly toxic substance.
“We’re relieved,” Jean Thaxton of the city Recreation and Parks Department said Wednesday.
The lake at the 230-acre park was closed July 18 after maintenance crews reported a heavy film that fire and health officials feared was a toxic material. That fear continued even after preliminary testing of the lake found that the water did not contain detectable levels of metals.
After subsequent testing, Los Angeles County health officials determined that the water was not hazardous because it contained living microorganisms. “Our conclusion is that it is algae . . . and I am convinced it is not hazardous,” said Samir Ibrahim, a hazardous materials specialist.
Officials blamed the algae bloom on the recent hot weather.
Despite the finding, city and county officials said they are not red-faced over closing the lake. “It was something we had to do,” Thaxton said. “We would rather be safe and protect the community than just assume the lake wasn’t hazardous.”
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