PORT TOWNSEND — Add Leland to the health advisory list of Jefferson County lakes threatened by toxic blue-green algae.
Jefferson County Public Health on Friday posted warning signs at Lake Leland, north of Quilcene, after water-quality samples taken Monday showed high levels of potentially toxic blue-green algae in lab tests.
Anderson Lake, Gibbs Lake and Teal Lake continue to have high algae levels as well. Users are warned not to drink lake water, swim in the lake, or consume fish from the lakes.
The lakes, however, are not closed to recreational use.
Asked how close the lakes were to toxic algae levels that would close the lake, Daniel Nidzgorski, environmental health specialist with county Public Health said, “That’s a bit of a tricky question to ask.
“We’re not in the business of closing lakes, just making recommendations.”
