Routine monitoring of swim beaches has concluded for the season

 

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health is lifting all advisories for Vancouver Lake. Cyanobacteria blooms are no longer present at any areas of the lake that are easily accessible to the public.

Public Health has been monitoring algae blooms at the lake since July, when blooms of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, formed at the Burnt Bridge Creek inlet and the flushing channel near the swim beach. Public Health issued an advisory for the lake after the blooms were detected, and park staff posted caution signs.

On Thursday, Public Health upgraded the advisory to a warning after test results revealed elevated levels of cyanotoxins in the water at the Burnt Bridge Creek inlet. While blooms were also present at the swim beach and flushing channel, those areas did not have elevated toxin levels.

Public Health staff visited the lake Tuesday and today. Blooms are no longer present at any of the locations. As a result, Public Health is lifting all advisories for Vancouver Lake, and park staff is removing warning signs.

End of swim season

Public Health has concluded its routine monitoring of local swim beaches for the season. While Public Health will no longer routinely sample the water, staff will respond to reported health concerns.

To report algae blooms or fecal contamination that may warrant a public health response, visit the Public Health website.

CONTACT
Marissa Armstrong
Communications specialist
Public Health
564.397.7307; 360.518.173
marissa.armstrong@clark.wa.gov