PORT HADLOCK — Jefferson County Public Health recommends that Anderson Lake remain closed Saturday for the opening day of fishing season, a decision based in concerns about deadly blue-green algae’s threat to public health and safety.
“”The verdict is that it’s toxic. It’s got such a huge, dense scum on it with anatoxin A and that is what killed the dogs,” said Neil Harrington, Jefferson County Public Health water quality manager. “It’s unfortunate.”
Two dogs died from drinking Anderson’s water in spring 2006, and that is when the lake’s toxic blue-green algae troubles first surfaced.
Anderson Lake State Park is expected to remain open for equestrian, hiking and biking activities but use of the lake is banned, he said.
Lakes Gibbs near Chimacum and Leland north of Quilcene will remain open but with warnings against eating the fish or swimming, he said. Some algae has formed around those lakes as well but not the extent as at Anderson Lake.
Blue-green algae tends to grow in warm weather but not all is toxic.
Health officials say they do not know why some algae begins producing toxins.
Algae blooms, which occur naturally, are fed by an overload of nutrients such as nitrogen or phosphorous. Possible sources of such nutrients include fertilizer or human or animal waste.
No toxic algae has been discovered in Clallam County.
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com
