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Surface Water Management Division
Snohomish County Algae Projects
| Episodes of toxic algae are a growing concern in Snohomish County and across Washington State. Toxic algae blooms pose a threat to the health of people and animals using lakes in Snohomish County. Therefore, the Snohomish County Lake Management program has begun several projects to more closely monitor toxic algae blooms, inform lake users of the problem, and help residents prevent toxic algae blooms. In addition, the County is working closely with the Snohomish Health District to inform the public of specific toxic algae episodes. |
Water sample taken during a toxic algae bloom |
Countywide Lake Algae Screening
Since 1992, Snohomish County Surface Water Management (SWM) has worked with citizen volunteers to monitor lake water quality in about 35 lowland lakes. In 2005, citizen volunteers began to collect a monthly algae sample to screen for potentailly toxic algae species. If a problem species is present in high density, SWM staff collect another sample to test for toxins. Volunteers or other citizens can contact us when a suspicious bloom is present and SWM will investigate and test for toxins.
| In the past 3 years, several algaa blooms have been identified through the screening program. The following lakes have tested positive for toxins during a bloom: Blackmans, Cassidy, Ketchum, Loma, and Stevens. For more specific information on blooms and toxin levels found you can visit the Department of Ecology algae database (external link). |
Sampling a toxic algae bloom in Summer of 2008 at Lake Ketchum |
Toxic Algae Early Detection & Prevention at Lakes Loma, Cassidy, and Ketchum
The Washington Department of Ecology's freshwater alage control program
(external link)awarded Snohomish County SWM a toxic algae grant for 2008-2010. The purpose of the grant is to target potentially toxic blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) in three lakes in Snohomish County - Cassidy, Ketchum, and Loma . All have had toxic algae problems in recent years. The three main project goals are to:
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A "Caution" sign posted in response to a toxic bloom |
Reduce the risk to human and animal health from toxic blue-green algae blooms through early bloom detection and citizen notification.
Increase public understanding of algae problems and their causes through educational mailings and workshops.
Reduce the incidence of blue-green algae blooms at the targeted lakes by working with residents near lakes to reduce nutrients responsible for blooms. |
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| The grant work started in 2008 with weekly algae bloom monitoring at the three lakes. During 2008, Lake Ketchum experienced a significant algae bloom with consistently high toxic values between early July and late September. Lake Cassidy also tested postiive for toxins on two seperate occasions in August and September. For more specific toxin levels, please consult the Department of Ecology's algae database (external link). In 2009, frequent monitoring will continue along with an educational campaign consisting of several mailings and workshops for people living on or near the targeted lakes.
Regional Examination of Harmful Algae Blooms (REHAB)
REHAB is a collaborative effort to better understand harmful algae blooms (caused by toxic algae) in western Washington. The program is funded by the federal Centers for Disease Control and is a partnership between Snohomish, King and Pierce Counties, the Washington Department of Health, the Washington Department of Ecology and Seattle University. The grant is large in scope and includes providing data to the CDC on blooms and effects, monitoring for toxic algae blooms, developing recreational standards for blooms, and developing public outreach strategies related to health effects of toxic blooms.
SWM will be involved in data collection to help understand the prevalence and risk of harmful algae blooms in the Puget Sound region. Ten lakes from Snohomish County were chosen for the study based on their hsitory of algae blooms and recreational importance. The ten lakes include Armstrong, Blackmans, Cassidy, Chain, Ketchum, Loma, Lost, Martha (North), Stevens, and Sunday.
Related Topics
Algae and Lakes
Toxic Algae
Algae Bloom Examples
Filamentous Algae
Links to Additional Algae Resources
Contact
Gene Williams, Senior Planner, 425-388-3464 extension 4563
Marisa Burghdoff, Water Quality Analyst, 425-388-3464 extension 4639
Some of these documents are in pdf format. To read these files you will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer.
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