Toxic algae advisories lifted at Lacamas, Round lakes in Camas

Clark County Public Health has lifted its toxic algae advisories at Lacamas and Round lakes in Camas.

Public health officials said today that the blooms of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, identified last week at the Camas lakes, dissipated over the weekend and are no longer present at either lake.

The caution and warning signs posted at the lakes are being removed. However, officials warn that algae blooms may return as conditions change. Public Health encourages people swimming and recreating in the lakes to watch for floating blue-green-colored scum and avoid direct contact with water in those areas. The public can report algae blooms online at clark.wa.gov/public-health/report-health-concern.

While conditions improved in Camas, the warning remains in place at Vancouver Lake. Blue-green algae blooms are still present at the Burnt Bridge Creek inlet and at the flushing channel near the swim beach. Last week, test results revealed elevated levels of cyanotoxins in the water at Vancouver Lake. Health officials say cyanotoxins can be harmful to people, especially young children, and deadly for small pets that drink the water.

Public Health is advising people to avoid direct contact with all water in Vancouver Lake and recommend no swimming, water skiing, paddle boarding, kayaking or canoeing; not drinking lake water; keeping animals away from the water entirely; cleaning fish well and discarding organs; and avoiding areas of scum when using motorized boats.