The same week the Edward River Council announced McLean Beach and its boat ramp are open for public use, WaterNSW upgraded the algae alert level for the Edward River at Deniliquin to ‘amber’.
Amber alert levels signal blue-green algae may be multiplying in numbers.
Council advised on Friday the beach had re-opened after initially being inundated by floodwaters in August.
The Edward River peaked at 8.19m on November 22 and has been slowly receding ever since.
“Our outdoor team has been busy since returning to work restoring McLean Beach to its former glory,” the council said on Friday.
“It's going to be a sunny 30 degrees this weekend. Perfect for boating, fishing, swimming or relaxing on the beach.”
The council’s decision to open McLean Beach and its boat ramp comes one week after boat ramps located in Harfleur Street, Sloane Street, Lawson Syphon and Twin Rivers re-opened to the public.
Council has also since announced the Beach to Beach Walk has re-opened, but noted conditions may have changed in some areas.
The Australian guidelines for managing risks in recreational water suggests an amber level algal bloom notification “requires investigation into the causes of elevated contaminant levels, and increased sampling to enable a more accurate assessment of the risks to recreational users”.
Prior to the re-opening of beaches and ramps, the Pastoral Times spoke to many locals about the conditions of the river.
None of them knew if it was safe to swim in the river.
McLean Beach Holiday park co-manager Fiona Jeffress said she’s seen people swimming in the river at McLean Beach and the boat ramp on a daily basis.
“I don't know if I would personally, but every afternoon there's people in it,” she said.
“We actually went out in our boat on Boxing Day and I was like, ‘the water doesn't look that good’. But there were people wakeboarding out there and people swimming in the river.”
The park’s office manager Vanessa Wiggett said she had seen the council’s announcement about McLean Beach and boat ramp being re-opened, but was unaware of the amber algae alert.
“Personally, I probably wouldn’t go swimming but that’s also because I have the option of a pool,” she said.
“But then there is something quite awesome about being right on the river and having it there to go swimming; I’d be quite torn.”
Ms Wiggett said if the river was her only option, she would probably still hold off until the council clearly stated the water is safe for people to swim in.
“Because I don’t know what you can get from that [water] like bacteria infections,” she said.
“I’d just rather not risk it, I don’t have time to be sick.”
Numerous blue-green algae warnings have been issued by water authorities this summer for waterways across the Murray-Darling Basin, including major storages.
WaterNSW advise that a red alert for blue-green algae is current for Lake Hume (Hume dam) and an amber alert for Yarrawonga downstream to Swan Hill on the Murray River, the Edward/Wakool Rivers, and the Menindee Lakes system, with Goulburn Murray Water indicating red alerts for Lake Eppalock and the Loddon Valley Irrigation Channels.
A spokesperson for the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) said blue-green algae exists throughout the Murray-Darling Basin but warm and sunny conditions and increased nutrient levels in the water can cause the algae to bloom very quickly.
“As floods recede and normal regulated flow conditions return in the River Murray System, there is an increased risk of blue-green algae outbreaks over summer and autumn due to warmer conditions and nutrient-rich water providing favourable conditions for blue-green algae outbreaks,” the spokesperson said.
“Some blue green algae species produce harmful toxins making water unsafe for humans to drink. It can poison wildlife, livestock and domestic animals, and make it unsafe for recreational activities that include contact with the water such as swimming and water sports.”
The MDBA spokesperson said contact with water containing blue-green algae should be avoided, but people can still enjoy activities around the river environment such as camping, bushwalking and bird watching.
