Testing has determined that cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) toxin levels in Lacamas and Round lakes are far below the hazardous levels for contact with water. As a result, Clark County Public Health, Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation, and City of Camas Parks & Recreation today lifted an earlier advisory for people and pets to avoid swimming in the adjoining lakes.
The advisory was issued Sept. 17 shortly after health officials learned a young Labrador retriever swam in Round Lake, then became acutely ill and died.
Under Washington State Department of Health guidelines, the maximum concentration of anatoxin is one part per billion, and none was detected in either Round Lake or Lacamas Lake. For microcystin, the maximum concentration in lakes is six parts per billion, and testing showed a level of 1.75 parts per billion in Lacamas Lake and 0.777 parts per billion in Round Lake.
Cyanobacteria toxin (algae blooms) can spike and fall quickly, even within a day, depending on the weather. State officials continue to study cyanobacteria blooms to learn more about how the bacteria functions.
Health officials do not yet know if the dog died from cyanobacteria toxin or another cause, but cyanobacteria toxin appears to be the likely cause.
Written by Joni McAnally
Administrative Assistant
Clark County Public Information and Outreach
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