VANCOUVER, Wash. — Just in time for Fourth of July weekend, Clark County Public Health has downgraded a health advisory at Vancouver Lake.
The advisory was downgraded from a “warning” to a “caution.” Toxic blue-green algae is still in the lake, but recent test results show low levels of toxins in the water, health officials said.
Clark County issued a health advisory on June 12 and warned the public to stay out of parts of the lake.
Now health officials recommend:
- 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
- Cleaning fish well and discarding organs
Clark County Public Health posted warning signs at the lake, but those signs will be replaced with caution signs. They will remain at the lake for as long as algae blooms are there.
Public Health says it will continue to monitor the lake. Water samples will be collected again next week.
Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, produces toxins that can be harmful to people and deadly for any small pets that drink the water.
Information on current advisories can be found here.
