Corps issues Rufus Woods Lake algae alert

BRIDGEPRT –- the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued an alert for recreational users of Rufus Woods Lake that, while access to the site remains open to the public, unsafe levels of a naturally occurring toxin have been detected in algae blooms in the water.

Warnings against swimming, water skiing and other in-water activities have been posted at the lake near Bridgeport, a USACE media release said. While it is safe to eat properly cleaned fish, the water should not be consumed, nor livestock or pets allowed in it.

Boaters should avoid floating algae blooms.

“The toxin of concern is anatoxin-a, a nerve toxin produced by some blue-green algae blooms found in water bodies throughout the state,” the release said. “Blue-green algae blooms often rise to the water’s surface forming an oily-looking surface scum that is often described as looking like pea soup or spilled green paint.”

Anatoxin-a can be lethal to animal when ingested in high enough concentrations.

Concentrations found in water test samples have been found to be as high as 311 micrograms per liter. The recommended level for safe recreational use is one microgram per liter. Water samples will continue to be taken and tested.

For more information about toxic blooms, visit the Washington State Toxic Algae website at nwtoxicalgae.org.