Surface Water Management Division

Toxic Algae Bloom Alert

Lake Loma 

Last updated 9/25/2009

THE BLOOM AT LAKE LOMA HAS NOW DISSIPATED. TEST RESULTS HAVE NOT SHOWN TOXINS ABOVE RECREATIONAL STANDARDS SINCE JULY 21ST. CAUTION SIGNS WERE REMOVED ON 9/2/2009. THE WEEKLY TEST RESULTS CAN STILL BE SEEN IN THE TABLE BELOW.

CAUTION sign posted at boat launch - click to enlarge.

A significant bloom of blue green algae has been present in Lake Loma since mid-July.  The bloom can turn the water bright green or blue and can form scums that look like green paint floating on the water's surface.   Blue-green algae (also known as cyanobacteria) also have the potential to produce toxins. Water tests from 7/14 and 7/21/2009 show that one toxin (microcystin) was present at levels higher than the Washington State Department of Health's recreational standard of 6 parts per billion (see specific results below). Tests from 7/27/2009 through 8/19/2009 still show low levels of the toxin , but they have dropped below the recreational standard. CAUTION signs are now posted (REMOVED 9/2/2009)  at the public access site indicating that toxic algae may be present and advise do not swim or water ski, do not drink lake water, keep pets and livestock away, clean fish well and discard guts, and avoid areas of algae scum when boating.  The CAUTION signs will be removed once the algae bloom has dissipated.  Residents should continue to take precautions since the lake is still experiencing high levels of algae.

Toxic algae can cause serious illness in humans who drink or play in affected waters. Toxic algae exposure can also kill pets, waterfowl, and other animals.  Call your doctor or veterinarian if you or your pet has unexplained sickness or signs of poisoning.    Weekly monitoring results will be updated below.  For more information refer to our Toxic Algae page or visit the State Department of Health website.To sign up for toxic algae email alerts email Marisa Burghdoff. For health related inquiries you may also call the Snohomish Health District at 425-339-5250.    Example of scum from blue-green algae bloom.

Test Date     Microcystin Level (parts per billion)

7/7/2009    0.11  BELOW RECREATIONAL STANDARD

7/13/2009  14  EXCEEDS RECREATIONAL STANDARD

7/21/2009  74  EXCEEDS RECREATIONAL STANDARD

7/27/2009   1.99 BELOW RECREATIONAL STANDARD

8/5/2009     <6 ppb BELOW RECREATIONAL STANDARD

8/11/2009   2 ppb BELOW RECREATIONAL STANDARD

8/19/2009  <0.5 PPB BELOW RECREATIONAL STANDARD

8/24/2009   0.852 PPB BELOW RECREATIONAL STANDARD

9/02/2009   <0.5 PPB BELOW RECREATIONAL STANDARD

9/8/2009    0.386 PPB BELOW RECREATIONAL STANDARD

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'll need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer.