Safety warning issued after toxic algal mats found in North Coast rivers

A regional water quality control board has issued a health advisory for several North Coast rivers where toxic algal mats that can make people and animals sick have been found.

The North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board — a state agency responsible for protecting water quality in the region — cautions people to keep themselves and their animals away from toxic algal mats in North Coast rivers, including the Klamath, Trinity, Salmon, Scott, Mad, Eel, South Fork Eel, Van Duzen, Navarro, Russian and East Fork Russian rivers.