Clark County Public Health has lifted the closure at Klineline Pond after test results from water samples collected Wednesday show improved water quality.

Public Health closed Klineline Pond to swimming and wading on Tuesday after several water samples taken from the pond on Monday showed elevated levels of E. coli bacteria. Test results from subsequent water samples show E. coli bacteria levels within the US. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines.

Public Health will continue to monitor the water quality at Klineline Pond and the two other designated swim beaches – Vancouver Lake and Battle Ground Lake – through Labor Day.

With warmer weather expected in the coming days, Public Health encourages swimmers to take steps to keep themselves and others healthy:

• Rinse off before and after swimming.
• Don’t swim if you’ve had diarrhea or vomiting in the last two weeks.
• Keep children who aren’t toilet trained and require swim diapers out of unchlorinated water.
• Know where the bathrooms and changing stations are located.
• Take frequent bathroom breaks. Young children should be taken to the bathroom every hour.

Vancouver Lake advisory

The danger advisory at Vancouver Lake will remain in place for at least one more week. Public Health is advising against all recreating in Vancouver Lake, including swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing and water skiing.

Public Health issued the advisory on June 11 after test results from water samples showed elevated levels of cyanotoxins from blue-green algae. Test results from water samples collected this week show improved water quality. If water quality continues to improve, Public Health will consider downgrading or removing the advisory next week.

As long as algal blooms are present at Vancouver Lake, Public Health will take weekly water samples to test toxin levels. The latest test results and current advisories are available on the Public Health website.