HomeMy WebLinkAbout20170525_AndersonLakeClosureAlways working for a safer and healthier community
615 Sheridan Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368
www.JeffersonCountyPublicHealth.org
Community Health Environmental Health Developmental Disabilities Water Quality
360-385-9400 360-385-9444
360-385-9401 (f) (f) 360-379-4487
May 25, 2017
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Michael Dawson
Jefferson County Environmental Health
(360) 385-9444
ANDERSON LAKE CLOSED DUE TO TOXIN
Port Townsend – High levels of the potent nerve toxin anatoxin-a were detected in a water sample
taken from Anderson Lake on Monday, May 22. The toxin level is 1.38 micrograms per liter, which is
above the Washington State recreational criteria of 1 microgram per liter. The bloom of bluegreen algae
in the lake contains the toxin-producing species Anabaena. Anatoxin-a can result in illness and death in
people and animals. Washington State Parks has closed the lake for recreation including fishing, boating
and swimming. Visitors are also urged to keep pets out of the water. The rest of Anderson Lake State
Park remains open for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Lake Leland and Gibbs Lake have not shown
signs of bluegreen algae so far this year.
Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) has monitored local lakes for bluegreen algae since 2007.
Anderson Lake has had closures every year since monitoring began. Last year the closure was
exceptionally early starting April 21. Anderson Lake has been opened for recreational fishing stince April
22 by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
To check the status of Jefferson County Lakes and learn more about toxic cyanobacteria monitoring,
consult the JCPH website at www.jeffersoncountypublichealth.org/index.php?lake-water-quality or call
(360) 385-9444. For fishing seasons and regulations see the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
website www.wdfw.wa.gov/fishing. Information on visiting Anderson Lake State Park is available at
www.parks.state.wa.us/240/Anderson-Lake.
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Always working for a safer and healthier community