ELIZABETH CITY -- Officials with the N.C. Division of Water Resources are urging the public to avoid contact with green or blue water in the Chowan River due to an algal bloom that has lingered in the area since June 20. The bloom is located about 12 miles upstream of Edenton, however, algae can easily move to other areas.

Staff with the agency’s water sciences program have identified the bloom species as Dolichospermum, a member of the blue-green family of algae. Algal blooms of this type usually appear bright green. When a bloom starts to decay, the color may change to a milky blue with the decaying algae producing a strong, foul odor. North Carolina has had no reports of adverse health effects in people associated with this algal bloom.

State health officials routinely encourage the public to avoid contact with large accumulations of algae and prevent children and pets from swimming or ingesting water in an algal bloom.