Swimmers should stay away from Lake Lawrence during algae bloom
Officials in Thurston County advise people to avoid swimming at Lake Lawrence, and to keep their pets out of the water, until algae toxins drop to safe levels.
An algae bloom sample taken from the lake on Friday detected microcystins, a toxin caused by the algae, at 28µg/L above acceptable levels. The recreational guideline for microcystin levels from the state is 8µg/L. Microcystins are a liver toxin and a possible human carcinogen.
Staff in the county’s Public Health and Social Services Environmental Health Division will collect one sample each week until toxin levels fall below regulatory standards for two consecutive weeks.
Tristan Payne, a staff member in environmental health and septic systems, said animals are currently the most at risk if exposed to water from Lake Lawrence. However, lake-goers are advised to not drink the lake water or swim in it.
Fishing should be limited to catch and release, and people should not consume any fish caught in Lake Lawrence during this time.
