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April 30, 2025
Anderson Lake Closed Due to Toxin <https://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/civicalerts.aspx?AID=1523>
<http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/ImageRepository/Document?documentID=21443>
For Immediate Release
Contact: Michael Dawson, Water Quality Manager
Jefferson County Public Health
360-385-9444 ext. 301
Port Townsend, WA – Elevated levels of the potent nerve toxin anatoxin-a were detected in a water sample taken from Anderson Lake on Monday, April 28th. Test results were received from
the laboratory on Wednesday, April 30th, and the toxin level is more than 1,000 times higher than the Washington State recreational criteria. Exposure to anatoxin-a can result in illness
and death in people and animals when ingested, even in tiny amounts. A bloom of toxin-producing cyanobacteria was found in the lake on April 14th, but toxin levels stayed below the
recreational criteria until this week. Washington State Parks has posted “Danger – Keep Out of Lake” signs at access points to the park alerting visitors of the hazard. Water-based
recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming are prohibited until the bloom dissipates and the toxin levels decline. Anderson Lake State Park remains open for other
recreational activities such as horseback riding, hiking, biking, and birdwatching.
Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) has monitored local lakes for cyanobacteria since 2007 and Anderson Lake has closed due to toxin levels every year since then. Over this period
of time, three dogs have been confirmed to have died due to exposure to Anderson Lake water. In addition to Anderson Lake, Lake Leland, Gibbs, and Crocker lakes have been monitored
weekly starting on April 1st. Teal and Silent lakes were observed earlier in April and no signs of blooms were noted.
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 <http://www.jefferso
ncountypublichealth.org/723/Lake-Status> or call (360) 385-9444. For fishing seasons and regulations, see the WDFW website www.wdfw.wa.gov/fishing <http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/fishing> .
Information on visiting Anderson Lake State Park is available at parks.wa.gov/find-parks/state-parks/anderson-lake-state-park <https://parks.wa.gov/find-parks/state-parks/anderson-lake-state-park>
. To check other lakes in Washington State, see www.nwtoxicalgae.org <http://www.nwtoxicalgae.org> .
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Jefferson County Public Health
Always Working for a Safer and Healthier Community
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