Routine water quality testing at Vancouver Lake this week revealed elevated levels of E. coli bacteria. The swim beach at the lake is currently closed due to elevated levels of cyanotoxins in the water.

The Vancouver Lake swim beach will remain closed until tests show cyanotoxins and E. coli bacteria levels do not exceed thresholds. Closure signs are currently posted at the swim beach and other public access points to the lake.

Clark County Public Health continues to advise against all recreating in the lake, including swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing and water… Read More

Vancouver, Wash. – With the warming weather and dry conditions, wildfire season is likely on its way and has already begun elsewhere in the state. Clark County Public Health is urging residents to take steps now to prepare for smoky days with unhealthy air quality.

Breathing smoke from wildfires isn’t healthy for anyone, but some people are more likely to have health problems when the air quality isn’t good. Those at risk for problems include children, adults older than 65, people with heart and lung diseases,… Read More

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health has closed the swim beach at Vancouver Lake after test results revealed elevated levels of cyanotoxins in the water.

Results from water samples taken from Vancouver Lake on Monday revealed cyanotoxins above the threshold levels recommended by the Washington Department of Health. Closure signs are being posted at the swim beach and other public access points to the lake. Public Health is advising against all recreating in the lake, including swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing and water skiing.

Blooms of cyanobacteria,… Read More

Clark County Public Health has lifted the swim beach closure at Vancouver Lake after recent test results showed reduced E. coli bacteria levels. Public Health has also downgraded the algae advisory at the lake from warning to caution. Blooms of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are still present at the lake, but results from recent water samples indicate low levels of toxins in the water.

Vancouver Lake is considered safe for swimmers; however, people and pets should avoid direct contact with lake water in areas of blue-green-colored floating scum.

Public… Read More

Clark County Public Health is closing Vancouver Lake to swimmers due to elevated levels of E. coli bacteria detected during routine testing. Some E. coli bacteria can cause serious gastrointestinal illness if water is accidentally swallowed.  

Due to the elevated bacteria levels, Public Health is closing the lake to swimming and wading. People who fish at the lake should take precautions to avoid water contact.

“It’s especially important to keep children out of the lake because they are more likely than adults to swallow some of the water,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark… Read More

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health has upgraded its advisory at Vancouver Lake after test results revealed elevated levels of cyanotoxins in the water. Public Health is advising people to avoid direct contact with all water in Vancouver Lake.

Public Health has been monitoring blooms of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, at Vancouver Lake since June 12.

Results from water samples taken from Vancouver Lake on Monday revealed cyanotoxins above the threshold levels recommended by the Washington Department of Health. The caution signs at the lake are being… Read More

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County’s Master Composter Recyclers will host an open house this weekend as part of the seventh annual Art in the Garden event.

The open house is 10 am to 4 pm Sunday, July 14 at the composting demonstration site at the Center for Agriculture Science and Environmental Education, CASEE, 11104 NE 149th St., Brush Prairie. The demonstration site is at the west end of the NatureScaping Wildlife Botanical Gardens.

The composting demonstration site lets visitors view different bins and compost systems, and see backyard compost being made. During the open… Read More

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County residents have the opportunity to explore 12 local gardens maintained using earth-friendly techniques during this weekend’s Natural Garden Tour. Visitors can meet host gardeners and find inspiration to make their own gardens beautiful and healthy.

The free, self-guided Natural Garden Tour is 10 am to 4 pm Sunday, July 14. The tour features gardens across the county, and participants can explore gardens at their own pace – visiting as many of the 12 gardens as they’d like. Booklets with tour map and details can be downloaded from the… Read More

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health has downgraded the advisory at Vancouver Lake from warning to caution. Blooms of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are still present at the lake, but results from recent water samples indicate low levels of toxins in the water.

As long as algae are present, toxin levels could increase as conditions at the lake change. Public Health is advising people to avoid direct contact with water in areas with floating blue-green-colored scum. The toxins produced by blue-green algae can be harmful to people and deadly for small pets.… Read More

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health has lifted the advisories at Lacamas and Round lakes in Camas. The blooms of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, at the 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, 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 on the… Read More