A toxic algal bloom at a Central California lake has reached danger status with state officials.
The Department of Water Resources said areas around San Luis Reservoir are not safe for human or pet contact.
The danger warning comes as Fourth of July weekend campers and boaters are planning to visit the reservoir just off of I-5, between Los Banos and Gilroy.
DWR spokesman Doug Carlson said testing this week shows the Basalt Boat Ramp has the highest toxin readings.
"I do believe that there are areas of the lake that you can go into that are not as toxin-filled as the Basalt area, but we would just encourage people to avoid all lake water if possible," Carlson said. "It's the safest course of action."
Carlson said San Luis Reservoir is the first lake under DWR's management to have a toxin warning this summer.
He said the recent heat wave likely helped with the algae's growth.
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