Clear Lake algae bloom status

Clear Lake algae bloom history

California's Water Boards hold 233 bloom reports for Clear Lake going back to 2016. Reports came in every year since then, with the busiest year being 2020 (40 reports).

State staff recommended an advisory 74 times: 5 Danger, 12 Warning and 57 Caution. Danger is the highest level and means people and pets were told to stay out of the water and off the shore.

Blooms have been recorded every year for the last 11 years in the data.

Reports have fallen in the last three years compared with the three before.

That puts Clear Lake 1st of the 318 California lakes on this site for the number of years with blooms.

When do algae blooms happen at Clear Lake?

At Clear Lake, reports are most often logged in January, June and July.

Unusually, about 53% of reports here fall between November and February, so blooms aren't only a summer problem at Clear Lake. 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 Clear Lake algae reports

Recent reports came from 9 different locations around Clear Lake, including Buckingham Park, north drive and Horseshoe Cove. A bloom in one cove or beach doesn't mean the whole lake is affected, and conditions can differ a short distance away.

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 Clear Lake 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 11 different years here, take particular care at Clear Lake in January, June and July.

• 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

• Forbes Creek16 km away, 2 reports, last in 2024
• Stanton Creek25 km away, 2 reports, last in 2022
• Lower Blue Lake28 km away, 3 reports, last in 2024
• Upper Blue Lake29 km away, 5 reports, last in 2024
• Blue Lake29 km away, 2 reports, last in 2020

All Lake County lakes with algae reports

Questions about Clear Lake

Is there algae in Clear Lake right now?

There are no bloom reports for Clear Lake in the last 30 days of California's data. The most recent was a Caution advisory on 6 July 2026 at Buckingham Park. 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 Clear Lake?

The most recent entry in California's data is from 6 July 2026 at Buckingham Park: a Caution advisory.

Has Clear Lake had toxic algae before?

Yes. Blooms are recorded every year from 2016 to 2026, most often in January, June and July.

Can dogs swim in Clear Lake?

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 Clear Lake 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.