JCPH

Jefferson County Lake Monitoring

Current Lake Status:

Lake

Status

Most Recent Sample

Dominant Types of

Blue-Green Algae

Anderson Lake

Warning

08/02/10

Aphanizomenon

Gibbs Lake

Clear

06/02/10

Aphanizomenon

Lake Leland

Caution

08/02/10

Aphanizomenon

Tarboo Lake

Clear

06/29/09

Crocker Lake

Clear

04/15/09

Teal Lake

Clear

04/15/09

Sandy Shore Lake

Clear

04/15/10

Microcystis can produce microcystin toxin, Anabaena can produce microcystin, anatoxin-a, anatoxin-a(S), and saxitoxin, Aphanizomenon can produce anatoxin-a, cylindrospermopsin and saxitoxin. Anatoxin has been detected in Anderson Lake and Gibbs Lake, and microcystin toxin has been found in Lake Leland.

A visible algae bloom was seen on 08/02/10 at Anderson Lake and a water sample was submitted for testing. The extent of the bloom has been increasing over the last several weeks. The dominant species at Anderson Lake is capable of producing toxins, including anatoxin. Because of the risk of exposure to this toxin, State Parks, in consultation with JCPH, has decided to close Anderson Lake for recreation. Other non-lake orientated recreation such as hiking, horseback riding and biking will be allowed at Anderson Lake State Park. Jefferson County Public Health will continue to monitor Anderson Lake weekly. If test results continue to show high levels of toxin, or if visible blooms persist, the lake will remain closed.

A visible algae bloom was also seen at Lake Leland on 08/02/10 and a water sample was submitted for testing. Lake Leland’s lab results show low levels of toxin from an Aphanizomenon-dominated bloom. Lake Leland will remain open for recreational use but JCPH reminds the public to observe the following:

1.    Do not swim or water ski in areas of scum.
2.    Do not drink lake water.
3.    Keep pets and livestock away.
4.    Clean fish well and discard guts.
5.    Avoid areas of scum when boating.

No visible blooms have been observed in other county lakes. If you see a bloom, please report them to JCPH.

Jefferson County Public Health has been collecting and submitting water quality/algae samples from Lake Leland, Anderson Lake, and Gibbs Lake since 2006. This season JCPH will continue to observe lakes for visible algae blooms. Recreational use recommendations will be updated on our website and posted at county lakes based on the results from lab testing. Funding is provided by a grant from the Department of Ecology and local funds.

For specific questions call Alison Petty, 379-4491 or contact her at apetty@co.jefferson.wa.us.

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Lake Status
CAUTION

A "Caution" status means toxic algae may be present and the lake may be unsafe for people and pets. Recreational use is OK, but please use the following cautions:

Do not swim or water ski in areas of scum.
Do not drink lake water. Boiling, filtering, or treating will not destroy the toxin.
Keep pets and livestock away.
Clean fish well and discard guts.
Avoid areas of scum when boating.

Lake Status
WARNING

A "Warning" status means toxic algae is present and the lake is UNSAFE for people and pets. Toxin levels may exceed safe limits, so we advise the following:

Do not drink lake water. Boiling, filtering, and treating will not destroy the toxin.
Avoid visible scums. Algae can concentrate in bright greenish patches or bands, sometimes looking like a paint spill. These scums can have over a thousand times as much algae.
Do not swim or get water in mouth or nose. Toxins can be absorbed if you swallow the water, and also through the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose.
Clean fish well and discard guts.
Keep pets and livestock away.

Recommendations for persons who have been exposed to water containing blue-green algae:

If you do swim in water that might have blue-green algae, rinse off with fresh water as soon as possible. Pay particular attention under bathing suit areas.
If pets (especially dogs) swim in scummy water, rinse them off immediately - do not let them lick the algae (and toxins) off their fur. Pay attention to cleaning their fur when you rinse them off. Use clean water to rinse them.
Watch for symptoms and report them to your health care provider or Poison Center at 1 (800) 222-1222.

Types of illnesses people and animals can get from exposure to blue-green algae:

Getting it on the skin may give people a rash, hives, or skin blisters (especially on the lips and under swimsuits).
Inhaling water droplets from irrigation or water-related recreational activities can cause runny eyes and nose, a sore throat, asthma-like symptoms, or allergic reactions.
Swallowing water that has blue-green algae toxins in it can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Liver problems: Symptoms of liver poisoning may take hours or days to show up in people or animals. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Nerve problems: These symptoms can appear within 15 to 20 minutes after exposure. People may have num lips, tingling fingers and toes, or they may feel dizzy. Dogs may have salivation, weakness, staggering, difficulty breathing, convulsions, and death.
Call your doctor or veterinarian if you or your animals have sudden or unexplained sickness or signs of poisoning.

Follow this link to go to the WA Department of Health's Blue-Green Algae website.

Follow this link to go to the WA Department of Ecology's Lakes website.

Lake Water Quality