Lacamas, Vancouver lakes found with elevated levels of cyanotoxins and harmful algae

Clark County Public Health issued a warning advisory at Lacamas Lake due to elevated levels of cyanotoxins from harmful algae after taking water samples on Monday, Aug. 26.

The tests revealed cyanotoxins above the threshold levels recommended by the Washington Department of Health. Warning signs have been placed at public access points at the lake, a news release by the County stated.

Cyanotoxins can be harmful to people, especially young children, and deadly for small pets that drink the water, according to the news release. While the warning advisory is in place, health officials recommend:

• No swimming or water skiing.• No water contact for animals.
• Avoiding areas of scum when using motorized boats, paddle boarding, kayaking or canoeing.
• No drinking lake water.
• Cleaning fish well and discarding organs.

Public Health previously issued a warning advisory for Lacamas Lake due to harmful algae on July 3. That advisory was removed Aug. 22 after two consecutive weeks of toxin levels below state thresholds, the release stated. However, conditions at the lake changed in the last week, and toxin levels have since increased, prompting the agency to issue a new warning advisory for Lacamas Lake.

The warning advisory at Vancouver Lake remains in place after Public Health issued the advisory on Aug. 22 due to elevated toxin levels from harmful algae at the swim beach and flushing channel, the release stated.

Public Health encourages people swimming and recreating in the lake to watch for floating scum and avoid direct contact with water in those areas. Pets should not drink or have contact with water in areas of floating scum, the health department stressed.

Public Health removed the warning advisory at Round Lake in Camas after water samples collected from the lake show water quality has improved over the last two weeks, and toxin levels are no longer elevated, the release stated.

Public Health will continue to monitor Lacamas, Vancouver and Round lakes and, while blooms are present, take weekly water samples to test toxin levels. Advisories will be updated as conditions change.

Additional information about harmful algal blooms and current advisories are posted on the Public Health website, clark.wa.gov/public-health/public-beaches.