Toxic algae health advisories issued for Clear Lake and Offutt Lake

Health advisories have been issued for Clear Lake and Offutt Lake in Thurston County because of toxic algae blooms.

Lab results from a sample taken from Clear Lake  detected microcystin toxin levels at 77.0 micrograms per liter, which is above the state recreation guideline of 8.0 micrograms per liter.

Lab results from a sample taken from Offutt Lake detected microcystin toxin levels at 10.5 micrograms per liter. Both samples were taken on Monday, Sept. 21.

"Microcystins are a liver toxin and a possible human carcinogen. Microcystins can also cause illness in livestock and pets that drink affected water," said the Thurston County Public Health and Social Services Department in the advisory on Tuesday, Sept. 22.

"Staff will continue to collect weekly samples until they receive two consecutive weeks of samples with microcystin levels below state recreational guidelines. Even if the lake is visibly clear of algae, toxins may still be present."

Health officials recommend taking the following extra precautions to avoid health risks posed by potential toxins:

• Do not drink the lake water.
• Avoid contact with water containing algae.
• Avoid swimming, wading, windsurfing, and waterskiing in water bodies where algae blooms are present.
• Keep pets and livestock away from where algae blooms are present.
• Do not eat fish that come from the lake during an algae bloom.
• Avoid areas of scum when boating.

For more information about toxic algae blooms and health risks, and to see all Thurston County algae alerts, click here.