Test results for blue-green algae in Jefferson County’s Anderson and Gibbs lakes show no levels of toxicity, a Jefferson County Public Health official said Friday afternoon.
This means the lakes will remain open for public use during the Memorial Day weekend.
Lab tests reported Friday confirmed that species of blue-green algae that were found in county lakes last summer are again occurring in high numbers in Anderson and Gibbs lakes.
However, no toxin was detected from water quality and algae samples collected Tuesday from Anderson and Gibbs lakes, said Mike McNickle, county Environmental Health director.
Algae numbers remained high in these samples. At this time Jefferson County Public Health is advising land managers that the lakes remain open but that some precautions should be taken.
“It appears we are in another blue-green algae bloom cycle,” said McNickle.
“However, our monitoring efforts have led to an early detection and warning system that was not in place last year.
“This early detection and warning system is designed to protect the health, welfare and safety of our community,” he said. “It is important to heed advisory signs posted at the lakes and to avoid contact with lake water whenever a bloom is visible.”
Anderson Lake, a popular trout fishing spot in the state park by the same name near Chimacum, was closed for most of the 2006 vacation season after two dogs and numerous wild animals died from drinking algae-tainted water from the lake.
A full report will appear in Sunday’s editions of the Peninsula Daily News.
