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Toxic algae (cyanobacteria) has been detected in the Mataura River but can occur in any river or lake, often forming dark mats. It s best avoided as it can be toxic to people and fatal to dogs.
More toxic algae has been found in the Mataura River, prompting Environment Southland to warn people not to have contact with the river, or to take their dogs near it. On Thursday, the regional council issued a press release saying its latest monitoring had found elevated levels of the toxic algae
benthic cyanobacteria in the Mataura River. The latest discovery is near the Mataura Bridge, in Mataura, and this follows confirmations that toxic algae is present at the Riversdale Bridge and Gore areas.