QUILCENE — Lake Leland was closed to swimming Friday — although not to fishing and boating — and the public is advised against people or pets drinking the water because of toxins found in it.
Lake Leland, north of Quilcene, was closed to an annual youth fishing derby last year as a precautionary measure after blue-green algae was spotted around the lake’s perimeter, but tests did not show any toxins in the lake then.
“It did not turn toxic last year, and it has this year,” said Neil Harrington, county environmental specialist who takes lake samples for testing.
Lake Anderson State Park in Port Hadlock remains closed to all activities because of soaring deadly lake toxin levels.
Mike McNickle, Jefferson County environmental health director, said Friday that lab results taken Monday from Lake Leland and tested last week show that blue-green algae of the genus aphanizomenon and the toxin microcystin is now present in levels that warrant a health advisory.
Microcystin is a hepatatotoxin that can cause liver damage and gastrointestinal distress through ingestion and a rash known as swimmer’s itch through skin contact.
That is why the county’s Public Health Department is recommending that people not swim in Lake Leland, drink the water or permit pets to drink or play in the lake.
Signs to that effect were posted Friday around Lake Leland, a county-owned lake and park.
Fishing and boating still will be allowed, McNickle said, although all fish caught in the lake should be cleaned thoroughly.
