CHIMACUM — Gibbs Lake remained closed to swimming while other recreational activities, including catch-and-release fishing, are allowed, Jefferson County Public Health officials said today.
Results of water sample tests that were received today show high concentrations of potentially toxic blue-green algae in Gibbs Lake at levels that warrant a health warning, said Neil Harrington, county water quality program manager in the county environmental health division.
Anderson Lake, between Port Hadlock and Chimacum, and Lake Leland, north of Quilcene, remain closed to swimming and fishing.
Both lakes continue to have the highest levels of toxic blooms.
Other recreational activities around Leland Lake and in Anderson Lake State Park are allowed.
Jefferson County Public Health is continuing weekly sampling of recreational lakes for toxic blue green algae.
Lake samples are not tested in Clallam County, where health officers visually monitor lakes for signs of algae bloom. No cautions or warnings have been issued in Clallam County.
Blue green algae
Gibbs Lake, Lake Leland and Anderson Lake are producing blooms of blue green algae of the genera anabaena and microcystis, which have the potential to produce toxins that affect the liver and nervous system.
Tests performed at King County Environmental Labs show that this bloom is producing anatoxin-a, a potent neurotoxin.
Since 2006, Jefferson County Public Health has been collecting and submitting water quality/algae samples from Lake Leland, Anderson Lake and Gibbs Lake to determine what species of algae are present and at what concentration they are present.
Because of the risk of exposure to the toxin, Washington State Parks — which manages Anderson Lake State Park, in consultation with the county public health department — will keep the lake in the state park closed to recreation.
Anderson Lake, a popular fishing hole, has been closed since the fishing season opened April 25.
Other local lakes are sampled if they appear to be undergoing a blue-green algae bloom.
The county health department this year is also collecting samples for nutrient analyses and physical data to determine possible causes for these blue-green algae blooms in county lakes.
The study is funded by a grant from the state Department of Ecology.
Sandy Shore Lake, from which the county is also taking water samples for weekly lab testing, remains clear.
So do Crocker, Teal and Tarboo lakes.
Anderson Lake, off Anderson Lake Road, was closed for the first time in June 2006 after two dogs were killed from ingesting the water and one nearly died after experiencing a seizure.
Leland was closed in mid-May.
Cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, is present in most bodies of water and usually causes no problems for humans or animals.
But when the right conditions align — the water is calm, relatively warm and overly rich in phosphates, a chemical commonly found in lawn fertilizers — it can bloom into high concentrations.
The toxins can concentrate in skin and organs, especially the liver.
People with liver problems, such as chronic hepatitis, should exercise additional caution.
Water samples are taken from the lakes on Mondays and tested at King County Environmental Labs.
Jefferson County Public Health maintains an updated database of lake monitoring information at www.jeffersoncountypublic health.org/.
The department can be reached at 360-385-9400.
Algae blooms in Clallam County lakes should be reported to Clallam County Department of Health and Human Services environmental health division at 360-417-2258.
