PYRAMID LAKE, Calif. (AP) -- State officials are warning boaters and others to avoid contact with water in Pyramid Lake in Los Angeles County due to a bloom of toxic blue-green algae.
The Department of Water Resources issued a warning following a field test Thursday of water from the swimming beach at the lake's Vaquero Day Use Area.
The area has been closed to swimming but remains open for shoreline activities.
Related: Algae blooms suspected of killing fish at Lake San Marcos
A caution advisory remains in place for the rest of Pyramid Lake, which is along Interstate 5 north of Los Angeles.
Exposure to the algae can cause eye irritation, skin rash, mouth ulcers, vomiting, diarrhea, and cold- and flu-like symptoms.
The algal bloom can appear as blue-green, white or brown foam, scum or floating mats.
