Is Lake Almanor safe for dogs?
Some predicted bloom risk in summer
This lake has a moderate predicted bloom risk. Blooms come and go — check for green scums each visit and test the water on-site if anything looks off before your dog goes in.
Predicted risk isn’t the same as today’s water. Blooms come and go — always look for green scums before letting your dog near the water, and check your state’s current advisories in season.
- Location
- Lake Almanor, CA (40.25, -121.15)
- Predicted toxin risk
- 5% chance of detectable toxin (predicted)
- Predicted cyanobacteria
- 56,300 cells/mL (predicted)
- Data source
- EPA cyanobacteria & microcystin lake model (2025)
What blue-green algae means for your dog
Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) can produce toxins that are rapidly fatal to dogs, who are exposed by swimming in or drinking affected water and by licking it off their fur. Dogs are affected more often than other pets because they wade, swim, and drink from lakes and ponds.
A “lower risk” prediction lowers the odds but does not rule out toxins or a localized scum in the cove where your dog actually swims. Predictions describe a lake’s tendency, not today’s water. Treat this page as a first check, not the final word.