CHIMACUM — Seeing lower levels of toxic blue-green algae, Jefferson County Public Health and state parks officials are giving the go-ahead to open Anderson Lake for fishing season on Saturday — the first time in nearly two years.
Water quality samples taken April 15 found moderate levels of blue-green algae toxins, but they fell short of being dangerous enough to close the well-known fishing spot near Chimacum.
Yellow caution signs will replace the red closure signs posted last year at Anderson Lake State Park’s entrance and at the boat ramp at the lake.
“I’m pretty excited,” said Mike Zimmerman, who manages Fort Flagler, Mystery Bay and Anderson Lake state parks.
“I know we’ve had to hold off the fisherman for some time. But we feel comfortable enough that were going to open it up until Mother Nature says otherwise.”
Zimmerman said that means the lake would be shut down to fishing if levels rose again to dangerous toxic levels.
The lake was last opened in April 2008 for fishing season but was shut down after just three weeks when toxin levels shot up as the weather warmed.
The gate to Anderson Lake State Park will be opened at 5 a.m. Saturday, Zimmerman said.
No toxic blue-green algae has been reported in Clallam County.
Jefferson County Public health reports toxic blue-green algae reports at http://www.jeffersoncountypublichealth.org/index.php?id=171,0,0,1,0,0″ o .
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.