Algae Attack

Austin's Lady Bird Lake enters final phase of toxic algae treatment

This algae has kept dogs out of the water and worse for years.

Photo courtesy of KVUE

The city of Austin is launching the final phase of a five-year program to fight harmful cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, in Lady Bird Lake.

On Monday, June 9, crews will begin spraying a special lanthanum-modified clay mixture on the lake.

The lanthanum molecule binds to phosphorus, which serves as a nutrient of the toxic blue-green algae. After it's bound into a mineral, the phosphorus becomes unavailable for the algae to consume, essentially robbing it of one of its primary food sources.

The toxic algae has killed dogs that have gone into the water and become exposed to it.

The applications that will be done on Monday will happen in three places:

Red Bud Isle
The boat ramp on the north shore of the lake, west of Interstate 35
The north shore of the lake between I-35 and the lagoon behind the Festival Beach Boat Ramp

If more time is needed, a contractor will continue the work on Tuesday. A second and third application are planned for July and August, when the chances of algae forming, and the potential to produce toxins, increases because of the hotter temperatures.

The substance will temporarily cloud the water. While the lanthanum-modified clay mixture is safe, recreational boaters are urged to stay away from the barge that will be applying the substance.

How to minimize the risk of exposure

Humans, pets and livestock that interact with harmful algae can become sick, and extreme cases can cause paralysis or death. The LCRA says people who enter the water do so at their own risk, but there are tips to keep pets safe.

Read the full story at KVUE.com.

lady bird lake swimming dogs pets nature parks

Convention Construction

Austin's downtown rail station closes due to work on convention center

Photo courtesy of KVUE

Construction in the area means railway riders will need to get off at Plaza Saltillo.

Starting Tuesday, commuters who use Capital Metro's rail service may have a harder time getting around downtown.

CapMetro announced that it is temporarily suspending service to its Downtown Station due to construction at the Austin Convention Center. The transit agency said the "unexpected impact" has required the immediate temporary closure of the station, located on East Fourth Street, to keep everyone safe.

For now, the Red Line will stop at Plaza Saltillo, located on East Fifth Street, and a bus bridge is in place between the two stations until rail service can safely resume to the Downtown Station.

"We understand the inconvenience this may cause for customers and appreciate patience during this time," representatives for CapMetro said on social media.

The transit agency said it will notify the public when service to the Downtown Station resumes. You can sign up for CapMetro Alerts online.

What's going on at the Austin Convention Center?

Construction is underway on a new convention center — a $1.6 billion project the city of Austin calls "Unconventional ATX."

The new center is expected to nearly double the rentable square footage of the existing facility, growing from 365,000 square feet of rentable space to 620,000. The Austin Convention Center Department (ACCD) says it will prioritize accessibility, flexibility and sustainability.

The new facility will feature open-air terraces, public outdoor plazas and "indoor-outdoor connections," and its architecture will strive to maximize natural light.

Read the full story at KVUE.com.

Algae Attack

Austin's Lady Bird Lake enters final phase of toxic algae treatment

Convention Construction

Austin's downtown rail station closes due to work on convention center

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