HomeMy WebLinkAbout041726 email - Press Release from JCPH_ Lake Toxic Algae Warnings Extended in Jefferson CountyPort Townsend, WA – A water sample collected from Lake Leland on Monday, April 13 by Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) exceeded the recreational guidance value, and JCPH is extending
current warnings at the lake. Lab results received today confirmed that the potent nerve toxin anatoxin-a was present at levels three times higher than the safe level. JCPH staff already
posted Warning signs at the lake during the first week of April due to a heavy, visible bloom of a species of toxic cyanobacteria, Aphanizomenon. In recent days, the bloom has become
less visible, yet toxins remain in the water.
JCPH also collected a water sample from a similar heavy algae bloom at Gibbs Lake, which also contained measurable amounts of anatoxin-a, but the level was below the recreational guidance
value. Toxic Algae Info signs are posted there, and the public is urged to avoid contact with the algae scum. Anderson Lake, the most frequently toxic lake in our county, also has a
heavy bloom and is posted with Warning signs. Both Lake Leland and Anderson Lake are unsafe for people and pets.
This is the first year since monitoring began in 2006 that Lake Leland has exceeded the recreational guidance for anatoxin-a, although there were levels close to the guidance value in
2012. JCPH has issued Warnings at Lake Leland in the past for microcystin, another toxin produced by cyanobacteria. Anderson Lake has had a toxic bloom every year. These blooms have
resulted in dog deaths, and the lake has a strain of cyanobacteria that isn’t often seen in other lakes.
More blooms and toxins are occurring in Jefferson County lakes this spring than is typical. April and May are also a time of increased lake fishing opportunities. Cyanotoxins are not
known to accumulate in fish muscle tissue, but could be present in internal organs. Clean fish well and discard the guts. The public is urged to be observant when visiting lakes and
avoid contact with blooms, especially areas of scum. To report a bloom in a Jefferson County lake, call 360-385-9444.
To check the status of Jefferson County Lakes and learn more about toxic cyanobacteria monitoring, consult the JCPH website at www.jeffersoncountypublichealth.org/723/Lake-Status or
call (360) 385-9444. For fishing seasons and regulations, see the WDFW website www.wdfw.wa.gov/fishing. To check other lakes in Washington State, see www.nwtoxicalgae.org.
To read the full press release on our website, visit: Lake Toxic Algae Warnings Extended in Jefferson County <https://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/m/NewsFlash/home/detail/1712>
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To see this press release on our Instagram, visit: Lake Toxic Algae Warnings Extended in Jefferson County <https://www.instagram.com/p/DXPglxsmdXI/?fbclid=IwY2xjawRPVyBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFqTXptSG
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Alyssa Zawawi
Public Health Communications Specialist
Jefferson County Public Health
615 Sheridan Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368
360-385-9405
azawawi@co.jefferson.wa.us <mailto:azawawi@co.jefferson.wa.us> | https://jeffersoncountypublichealth.org/