CHIMACUM – State Parks officials are preparing to reopen Anderson Lake State Park – the park only, not the lake itself, which is still full of toxic algae – this week or next.
Parks officials are also preparing to sign a contract with Jefferson County Environmental Health to conduct a year-long study to into the cause of toxic algae blooms in the county’s lakes.
Parks officials have given the go-ahead to reopen Anderson Lake State Park, with its 410 acres of winding trails that surround the 70-acre lake, which is eight miles south of Port Townsend.
The lake will remain closed until two consecutive weekly test results show the lake is no longer toxic.
So far, the weekly tests have found toxins in the popular fishing hole, which has been closed since June 8, having been open only since April 28.
Anderson Lake was closed last summer after two dogs died from contact with the water on Memorial Day weekend.