Clark County Public Health has downgraded the health advisory at Vancouver Lake from warning to caution. While blooms of cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, are still present at the lake, recent test samples from the water show low levels of toxins, according to a Public Health news release.
“The toxins produced by blue-green algae can be harmful to people and deadly for small pets,” the news release reads.
Warning signs at the lake are being replaced with caution signs, which will remain as long as the blooms are present. More water samples will be collected next week and public health will to monitor local bodies of water.
Public Health advises that toxin levels could increase as conditions at the lake change, especially if warmer weather arrives, since blooms feed off of sunlight and warmth.
For now, health officials recommend no swimming or water skiing near areas of scum, no drinking lake water, not water contact for animals near areas of scum, avoid areas of scum while boating and make sure to clean fish well and discard organs.
