Washington State Parks News Releases

News Release 11-025

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
1111 Israel Road S.W., P.O. Box 42650, Olympia, WA 98504-2650, (360) 902-8500
Don Hoch, Director

Anderson Lake closed to fishing and swimming

OLYMPIA – Jun. 10, 2011 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission announced today that, due to very high levels of toxin concentrations, Anderson Lake near Port Hadlock is closed to fishing, swimming and all on-lake activities.

Anderson Lake is undergoing a spring bloom made up predominately of the genus Anabaena and Aphanizomenon. Tests performed show that this bloom is producing anatoxin-a, a potent neurotoxin. Water samples show anatoxin-a concentrations at 2.67 µg/L, which is 2.7 times the proposed safe recreational limit of 1 µg/L.

Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) has been collecting and submitting water quality/algae samples for Anderson Lake since 2006. JCPH will continue to monitor Anderson Lake weekly. If test results continue to show high levels of toxin, the lake will remain closed. Currently, signs on-site warn against any fishing or swimming in the lake, by people or pets. The park remains open for all other recreation such as biking, hiking, horseback riding and picnicking.
Visitors who wish to know the lake’s status before visiting can call the main park, Fort Flagler, (360) 385-1259 for information. More detailed information can be found on the Jefferson County Public Health Web site at www.jeffersoncountypublichealth.org.

The Commission manages a diverse system of more than 100 state parks and recreation programs, including long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation. The 98-year-old park system will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2013.

Washington State Parks is now on Twitter at WaStatePks_NEWS and YouTube at WashingtonStateParks.

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