Jefferson County Parks and Recreation closed Gibbs Lake Friday after finding high levels of the toxin microcystin in a water sample taken on Monday, July 19.
Finding 46 micrograms per liter, the …
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Jefferson County Parks and Recreation closed Gibbs Lake Friday after finding high levels of the toxin microcystin in a water sample taken on Monday, July 19.
Finding 46 micrograms per liter, the toxin level detected was more than five times above the Washington State recreational criteria of 8 micrograms per liter.
Produced by cyanobacteria, also known as bluegreen algae, microcystin can cause illnesses in people and animals.
The lake is closed for swimming, boating and fishing. Visitors should also keep pets out of the water.
Danger signs have been posted at lake access points and signboards. The rest of the county park remains open for hiking, biking, and other activities.
Local lakes have been monitored for cyanobacteria seasonally since 2007. Lake conditions can change rapidly and lake status can change between samples.
To check the status of the county’s lakes, visit jeffersoncountypublichealth.org, or call 360-385-9444.
Information on visiting Gibbs Lake County Park is available at countyrec.com.
