Avoid water recreation, fishing at popular Pierce County lake due to toxic algae
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- Health officials warn against swimming, fishing at Spanaway Lake due to algae.
- Toxic algae exposure may cause nausea, rash, vomiting or muscle weakness.
- Pets and children face greater risk; avoid contact with discolored water or scum.
Watch out for poisonous green scum or other streaks or clumps of colored algae in Spanaway Lake, health officials said in a toxic algae caution advisory Wednesday.
“When you see algae, don’t swim, wade, waterski, or fish,” the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department news release said. “Keep in mind as wind direction changes, the algae could move elsewhere in the lake. When in doubt, stay out!”
The health department sampled the waters Monday and will check for toxic algae again next week. Officials will leave the advisory up for two weeks “out of an abundance of caution” once the bloom disappears, the release said.
Spanaway Lake is located next to Spanaway Park, which has a boat launch and two swimming beaches without lifeguards, according to the county website. The lake also provides opportunities for fishing stocked rainbow trout as well as largemouth and smallmouth bass and rock bass, the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife website says.
Signs at the lake warn visitors of the advisory. People should avoid any areas of the lake with algae and avoid eating fish from contaminated water, according to the release.
Toxic algae or cyanobacteria exists naturally in lakes and can make people and animals sick. The algae can take different shapes and colors, including a layer of scum akin to green pea soup. They can also be brown, red and blueish, the department said.
Symptoms that can result from coming into contact with toxic algae are muscle weakness, vomiting, diarrhea and nausea, the release said. Your skin also can become irritated or get a rash if it comes in contact with toxic algae.
Visit your medical provider if you show symptoms and may have been in water with toxic algae. You can get sick minutes to hours after exposure. Rinse off any pets or people exposed immediately and seek medical help if symptoms appear, the department advises.
Small children and pets are particularly susceptible to illness because of their small bodies and their likelihood of ingesting water with toxic algae. Take your pet to the vet if they show any signs of lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, difficulty breathing or general weakness; and keep exposed pets from licking their fur, the advisory said.
