UPDATED: Hoping to go swimming? Thurston County warns public to avoid these lakes
Update: The county has added Lake Lawrence to the list of lakes where people shouldn’t swim or touch the lake water. Meanwhile, Clear Lake and Pattison Lake do not contain microcystin levels above the state recreational guidelines, according to lab results released on June 26.
Despite the expectation that high temperatures will rise into the 80s this weekend, Thurston County is warning the public to avoid swimming in Long Lake, Lake St. Clair and Lake Lawrence.
Staff from the Environmental Health Division of the county’s Public Health and Social Services Department took a water sample at Lake Lawrence and issued an advisory this week about microcystin levels due to an algae bloom.
Meanwhile, Long Lake and Lake St. Clair both have reports of swimmers itch due to parasites.
And Pattison Lake, which had a report earlier this month of microcystin levels twice the acceptable level, now has less than detectable microcystin levels and has been reopened to recreational use.
Lab results at Lake Lawrence showed microcystin levels at 45.9 micrograms per liter, according to the advisory. That’s over five times the state recreational guideline of 8 ug/L.
Staff plan to collect and test one sample a week until toxin levels fall below the regulatory guideline. Only then will the advisory be lifted. Until then, the county advises the public not to drink or touch the lake water. That means no swimming, wading, wind surfing or water skiing. Pets and livestock should also be kept away from the lake.
Anglers ought to release any fish they catch during the algae bloom, according to the advisory. The public should refrain from eating contaminated fish as well.
People who contact water with high levels of microcystin can develop gastrointestinal illness such as vomiting and diarrhea and suffer liver damage, according to the county’s website.
Reports of algae blooms have prompted staff to test other lakes as well. The county took samples from Clear Lake on Tuesday, and results show acceptable levels.
Additionally, the county warned the public of possible parasites in Lake St. Clair and Long Lake.
The advisory says the parasite that causes swimmer’s itch appeared to be present in the lake after multiple people reported getting skin rashes.
Swimmers itch, also known as cercarial dermatitis, is cause by an allergic reaction to certain microscopic parasites released by infected snails into fresh and salt water. It’s more prevalent in the summer months, the advisory says.
To avoid swimmer’s itch, the county recommends people avoid swimming in areas where it’s a known problem or where warning signs have been posted.
People also are advised to not swim or wade in marshy areas where snails are commonly found. If someone does contact such areas, the county recommends they towel dry and shower immediately after leaving the water.
Additionally, the county says people should apply waterproof sunscreen before entering the water in such areas. The sunscreen not only protects people from the sun, but it also reduces the ability of parasites to attach to the skin.
Lastly, the county recommends people not attract birds by feeding them in areas where people are swimming.
The public can view current lake advisories on the Thurston County website.
This story was originally published June 27, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
