CHIMACUM — With no visible signs of toxic blue-green algae in Anderson Lake, Jefferson County public health officials await the results of water sample testing that could clear the popular fishing hole to open April 30 for the annual angling season.
“We plan on giving them the information on the 25th,” said Stuart Whitford, county environmental health director, referring to Washington State Parks.
“Ultimately, it’s up to them what to do.”
If the lake water is deemed safe, state parks officials would make the final decision about opening the lake for the fishing season.
Toxins created by blue-green algae, which are dangerous for both people and animals, have plagued the popular trout-fishing lake since May 2006 when two dogs died after drinking water and the lake was closed.
In April 2010, Anderson Lake was opened for fishing for the first time since 2008, but was closed three weeks later when toxin levels shot up as the weather warmed and encouraged the algae growth.
Water quality specialists with Jefferson County Environmental Health took water samples of Anderson Lake on Monday, Whitford said.
The 70-acre lake on 410 wooded and wetland acres between Chimacum and Port Hadlock, which is closed now for the season, will remain closed — despite the statewide opening of the fishing season April 30 — if toxin concentrations are deemed too high.
Closure of the lake does not affect land-based recreation such as hiking and horseback riding.
Jefferson County Public Health has been collecting and submitting water quality and algae samples from Anderson, Lake Leland and Gibbs Lake since 2006.
The results of tests on samples taken April 4 resulted in a “caution” status for Anderson Lake, with the county website at http://tinyurl.com/4xlnher saying toxic algae may be present, a “warning” status for Lake Leland, saying toxic algae was discovered, and a notice that Gibbs Lake was “clear.”
Whitford said the county again applied for grant funding with the state Department of Ecology, and secured $30,000 to continue to monitor Anderson Lake — as well as Gibbs, Leland and Sandy Shore — this year for dangerous blue-green algae toxin concentrations.
Jefferson County matched the state grant with $10,000 from the county’s Clean Water District fund, he said, bringing the total funds dedicated to lake water-quality monitoring to $40,000.
The history of Anderson Lake shows that an early-, mid-, and late-summer bloom is likely, public health officials said.
Typically, if a bloom is observed, a sample will be taken and submitted to King County Environmental Labs for testing, officials said.
Fishing or other recreational lake uses are banned if the toxin count exceeds 100,000 cells per milliliter.
At or below the allowable threshold, yellow caution signs are posted at the lake asking that fishermen clean the fish before eating and others avoid water contact, especially where algae is heavily matted.
A red warning sign means that the lake is closed to recreational use, including fishing and swimming. It means no one should drink the water. Boiling it or treating it will not destroy the toxin.
Water samples from Anderson Lake taken May 11, 2010 showed high levels of anatoxin-a, a potent neurotoxin, at about 100 times the safe recreational limit, Public Health officials said.
Lake Leland, north of Quilcene, and Gibbs Lake in Chimacum, were closed in September after blue-green algae toxin levels soared.
No toxic blue-green algae has been reported in Clallam County.
During the late spring and summer months, Jefferson County Public Health reports toxic blue-green algae concentrations on its website.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-681-2391 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.