JCPH - Lake Status

Toxic Algae Monitoring

Some species of bluegreen algae (also known as cyanobacteria) can produce toxins harmful to human and animal health. The Jefferson County Water Quality Department monitors the following lakes for bluegreen algae: Anderson Lake, Gibbs Lake, and Lake Leland. These lakes are monitored monthly and sampled for toxins if bluegreen algae are suspected to be present. Other lakes are monitored as needed. Results are generally obtained by Friday and lake status is updated on this page. For more information about toxic algae blooms, click here. To see a map of the lake location, click the name of the lake in the table below.

Name of Lake	Date Last Sampled	Status	Notes
Anderson Lake	5/20/2013		• Heavy bloom, no scum • Anatoxin high
Crocker Lake	5/7/2012		• No bloom visible 5/20/2013
Gibbs Lake	5/20/2013		• Patchy scum • Toxin detected, but low
Lake Leland	5/20/2013		• Light bloom • Toxins not detected
Sandy Shore Lake	6/13/2011		• Light bloom visible 5/11/2013
Silent Lake	9/26/2011		• No recent observations

Lake conditions can change rapidly and lake status may have changed since the last sample was taken. Regardless of what is posted here, if you observe a green paint-like scum or bloom on a lake follow the recommendations listed at the WARNING level. If you observe a bloom in a Jefferson County lake, please report it by calling (360) 385-9444.

What the Status sign means: (click image to enlarge)
No toxins detected in last sample, no toxic species present and no bloom visible. Note there is no sign posted when the lake is clear.

Toxins detected at low levels, toxic species may be present or bloom visible.	Toxins at or above state guidelines or extensive bloom dominated by toxic species.	Lake closed by land manager’s decision
Do not swim in areas of scum Do not drink lake water Keep pets and livestock away Clean fish well and discard guts Avoid scum when boating Warning-algae toxins may be present in fish tissue, please call your local health department, Jefferson County, at (360) 385-9444 for more information	Do not swim Do not drink lake water Keep pets and livestock away Clean fish well and discard guts Avoid scum when boating Warning-algae toxins may be present in fish tissue, please call your local health department, Jefferson County, at (360) 385-9444 for more information	Keep out of/off lake