Toxic Algae 

 

These signs are posted at all public and community shoreline access points to alert citizens that this shoreline area is known to have toxic algae blooms.  It does not mean one is present.  They are always posted.  There are many different types of algae.  Some good and some bad.  You can’t always tell the difference by looking at it.  Like the sign says, “When in doubt, STAY OUT!” Here are a couple pictures of algae that was determine not to be toxic.  But I still wouldn’t swim in it.

                                                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THIS SIGN TO THE LEFT IS POSTED TO PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY SHORELINE ACCESS AREAS WHEN A TEST HAS BEEN CONDUCTED AND THE RESULTS SHOW THE ALGAE IS TOXIC. 

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• Warnings stay in place until two weeks of consecutive sample testing results show toxicity levels are below the state advisory levels.  Signs will be removed when the advisory ends.

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• Testing:  Thurston County Environmental Health respond to cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae) calls year-round and will take samples of cyanobacteria if scum is present.  All cyanobacteria response and testing are response-based and there are no passive cyanobacteria monitoring at this time.  All suspect cyanobacteria scum samples collected are sent to King County.  The typical algae season is April through November.  If a cyanobacteria bloom is suspected outside of this season, we need the reporter (you) to also send pictures of the bloom along with their complaint form to be submitted from the lab for permission to obtain a sample of the scum for processing.

• Reporting: Fill out an issue report at this link: Environmental Health Issue Reporting | Thurston County (thurstoncountywa.gov) and/or Call 360-867-2626 or 360-407-6000.  They will need to know where the bloom is located on the lake and snapping a photograph of the bloom and sending it in is always welcomed and sometimes required, particularly during the off season from November through April.

• How do lake residents sign up to receive algae testing results and toxic algae alerts? Visit this link: Signup Form (constantcontactpages.com) .

 

THIS photo on the left is toxic algae to the extreme.  We are fortunate at Lake Lawrence that we have not experienced this yet.  Our largest bloom lasted three-four weeks. This algae bloom shut down all activity on Long Lake, Thurston County for six+ weeks and covered 75% of the lake.  Many of the lake residents moved into hotel rooms to avoid the stink.