Fishing, boating, and swimming have been banned at Anderson Lake after the discovery of elevated levels of the potent nerve toxin anatoxin-a in the water.
Jefferson County Public Health officials …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you had an active account on our previous website, then you have an account here. Simply reset your password to regain access to your account.
If you did not have an account on our previous website, but are a current print subscriber, click here to set up your website account.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
* Having trouble? Call our circulation department at 360-385-2900, or email our support.
Please log in to continue |
|
Fishing, boating, and swimming have been banned at Anderson Lake after the discovery of elevated levels of the potent nerve toxin anatoxin-a in the water.
Jefferson County Public Health officials said a water sample taken from the lake Monday, April 25 showed dangerous levels of the toxins.
Some recreational activities have been prohibited until the toxins dissipate and the lake is deemed safe for recreation.
Officials said Anderson Lake State Park will stay open for other non-water recreational activities, including hiking, horseback riding, and birdwatching.
The toxin level of the water sample taken had 1.30 micrograms per liter of anatoxin-a, which is just above the Washington state recreational criteria of 1 microgram per liter.
Health experts said the bloom of cyanobacteria in the lake contains toxin-producing species of algae, including Dolichospermum (formerly Anabaena) and Aphanizomenon.
Anatoxin-a can result in illness and death in people and animals when ingested.
Washington State Parks has posted “Danger – Keep Out of Lake” signs at access points to the park to warn visitors of the potential hazards.
Jefferson County Public Health has monitored local lakes for cyanobacteria since 2007 and Anderson Lake has had closures every year since then, including very high levels of toxin.
Anderson Lake was monitored monthly throughout the winter, according to health officials, and toxins were not detected.
Starting in April, however, bloom activity and toxin level have been steadily rising, officials noted.
Crocker, Gibbs, Leland, and Tarboo lakes have also been assessed for cyanobacteria activity this year and no evidence of blooms forming was found.
To check the status of Jefferson County lakes and learn more about toxic cyanobacteria monitoring, visit the Jefferson County Public Health website at www.jeffersoncountypublichealth.org/723/Lake-Status or call 360-385-9444.
For fishing seasons and regulations, see the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing.
Information on visiting Anderson Lake State Park is available at parks.state.wa.us/240/Anderson-Lake.
