'Rapid change': Potentially toxic blue-green algae mats found at Red Bud Isle, Auditorium Shores

The Austin Watershed Protection Department said it observed a lot of potentially toxic blue-green algae mats at Red Bud Isle and Auditorium Shores.

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Watershed Protection Department said it observed a lot of potentially toxic blue-green algae mats at Red Bud Isle and Auditorium Shores.

“This is a rapid change from two weeks ago,” the department said.

Watershed Protection provided safety guidelines for people & pets to follow to avoid getting sick.

The department said to avoid contact with algae, do not drink water from the lake, rinse off after contact with water and do not allow dogs to lick fur before rinsing them off.