Clark County Public Health warned Wednesday that skiing and swimming at Lacamas Lake could make residents sick due to elevated levels of cyanotoxins from algae.
Lacamas Lake water samples taken July 1 showed cyanotoxin levels above the threshold recommended by the Washington State Department of Health.
Cyanotoxins can be harmful to people, especially young children, and deadly for small pets that drink the water.
While the warning advisory is in place, health officials recommend not swimming or skiing in the lake, keeping animals from contacting the water, avoiding areas of scum when using watercraft, not drinking the lake water and cleaning fish from the lake well and then discarding their organs.
Public Health said the department will continue to monitor Lacamas Lake and take weekly water samples to test toxin levels when the there’s an algae bloom. The department will update lakeside signage as conditions change.
Harmful algal blooms can pose a significant health risk if the cyanobacteria or toxins are ingested, inhaled or contact skin, the department said. Inhaled bacteria or toxins can cause wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. Skin contact could lead to rash, itching, blisters and eye irritation.
If water with cyanotoxins is accidentally swallowed, Public Health said symptoms could include abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, numbness of the lips, tingling in fingers and toes, and dizziness.
Additional information about harmful algal blooms and current advisories are posted on the Public Health website. To report algal blooms in other bodies of water, visit clark.wa.gov/public-health/public-beaches.
