Clark County Public Health upgraded health advisories at Vancouver and Round lakes Thursday following test results that found levels of cyanotoxins in the water above the state Department of Health’s threshold.
Cyanotoxins can be harmful to people, especially young children, and also are deadly for small pets who drink the water, according to a Public Health news release.
Vancouver Lake and Round Lake in Camas are now under warning, and the caution signs at the lakes are being replaced with warning signs. As part of the warning, Public Health advises that people avoid contact with all water at Vancouver and Round lakes.
“With a warning, we tell people to stay out of the water entirely, not just the scummy area,” Public Health spokeswoman Marissa Armstrong said.
Public Health has been monitoring blue-green algae, or blooms of cyanobacteria, at Vancouver Lake since June 12, and at Round and Lacamas lakes since Monday.
The state health department has a threshold of 6 micrograms per liter for cyanotoxins. Vancouver Lake tested at 8 micrograms per liter on Monday. Round Lake tested at 26 micrograms per liter, more than four times higher than the threshold.
Lacamas Lake tested at 2 micrograms per liter, so the lake will remain under caution; health officials advise that people and pets avoid contacting areas of water with floating blue-green scum. Do not drink the lake water, clean fish well and discard organs, and avoid boating in areas of scum.
Armstrong said that as long as the algae is present, toxin levels could increase as lake conditions change, particularly if temperatures rise because blue-green algae feeds off of sunlight and warmth.
Sweetwater SUP Rentals will re-open today after being closed for a week due to the algae blooms. The stand-up paddleboard and kayak rental company is located at Lacamas Lake. Co-owner Rene Carroll said the company will tell renters to stick to recreating in Lacamas Lake only.
“The city (of Camas) and the (county) health department know about our plans and are fine,” she wrote in an email Thursday. “We just need to keep a look out for any future blooms at Lacamas.”
Vancouver Lake, Klineline Pond and Battle Ground Lake all experienced some form of health advisory last swimming season. As long as the blooms are present, Public Health will continue to test toxin levels in the water weekly.
More information can be found at the Public Health public beach website. You can report algae blooms at Public Health’s website.
Reporter Adam Littman contributed to this story.
