Caution signs remain posted at Vancouver Lake due to blue-green algae blooms
CAMAS — Clark County Public Health has issued advisories for Lacamas Lake and Round Lake in Camas due to blooms of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae.
A blue-green algae bloom in Lacamas Lake was reported to Public Health on Friday afternoon. Public Health staff visited Lacamas Lake, Round Lake and Fallen Leaf Lake this morning and identified blue-green algae blooms in Lacamas Lake and Round Lake. Staff did not see a bloom at Fallen Leaf Lake.
Water samples were collected from Lacamas and Round lakes. Results from those samples should be available later this week and will determine if toxins are in the water.
Public Health staff spotted blooms in Lacamas Lake near the Lacamas Lake Lodge and along the Heritage Trail shoreline. At Round Lake, staff saw blooms near the dam and in the slough adjacent to the lake.
Public Health is advising people to avoid direct contact with lake water in areas of floating blue-green-colored scum. Blue-green algae produce toxins that can be harmful to people and deadly for small pets that drink the water.
Health officials are recommending:
- No swimming or water skiing in areas of scum.
- No drinking lake water.
- No water contact for animals in areas of scum.
- Avoid areas of scum when boating.
- Clean fish well and discard organs.
Caution signs have been posted at Lacamas Lake and Round Lake. Public Health will continue to monitor the lakes as long as blooms are present, and signs will be updated as conditions change.
Advisory remains at Vancouver Lake
Caution signs remain posted at Vancouver Lake due to blue-green algae blooms.
Caution signs were posted at Vancouver Lake on June 12, after Public Health staff identified blooms at the Vancouver Lake swim beach, the Burnt Bridge Creek inlet and the flushing channel near the swim beach. Test results from water samples taken from the lake showed low levels of toxins in the water. The levels were below thresholds for taking additional action.
Currently, the only visible bloom is at the Burnt Bridge Creek inlet. However, the entire lake remains under advisory, as blue-green algae blooms can dissipate and grow as conditions change.
Public Health will continue to monitor the bloom and collect weekly water samples to test toxin levels at Vancouver Lake. Signs will remain in place until the blooms are no longer present.
Additional information about blue-green algae and current advisories are posted on the Public Health public beach website.
Information provided by Clark Co. WA Communications.
