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November 21, 2014

Health Department issues Warning for toxic blue green algae at Pass Lake in Deception Pass State Park

SKAGIT COUNTY — A water sample tested this week from Pass Lake in Deception Pass State Park on Fidalgo Island showed the presence of blue green algae toxins.  The level of microcystin toxin in Pass Lake has triggered the posting of Warning Signs around the lake.  Microcystin is a chronic liver toxin and can cause rash and other symptoms on exposure.  Until further notice people should not swim in the lake, drink lake water, or allow pets or horses access to the lake water.  Fish caught from Pass Lake should be cleaned well and guts discarded.  Areas of scum should be avoided when boating. 

Big Lake in Skagit County continues to have significant scum from blue green algae around portions of the lake. Please remember to keep people and pets out of areas of intense color and scum in these lakes. Exposure to algal toxins can have health impacts to people and animals.

For questions concerning lakes within Skagit County, please e-mail Polly Dubbel at pollyd@co.skagit.wa.us or visit the Washington State Department of Health website at http://www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/Contaminants/BlueGreenAlgae