Toxic algae found in Potholes Reservoir

MOSES LAKE — Toxic blue-green algae continues to ooze and bloom across Moses Lake and has found its way into Potholes Reservoir, according to a news release from the Grant County Health District.

After taking samples from Potholes this week, the health district found elevated levels of microcystin, a toxin produced by certain kinds of blue-green algae, above Washington state guidelines, forcing the district to post signs around the reservoir warning people to avoid contact with the water.

The warning comes roughly two weeks after microcystin, which affects liver function and can cause death in people and animals, was found in a portion – and then later all – of Moses Lake.

“The signs at both Moses Lake and O’Sullivan/Potholes Reservoir will remain up until the algae toxin levels are below recreational guidelines for two consecutive weeks,” the health district said.

The district is advising people not swim or engage in any recreational activities that would put them in contact with the water. In addition, people are advised not to drink lake water or let their pets or livestock drink the lake water, and are also advised to thoroughly clean any fish caught in the lake, taking special care to dispose of the guts.

According to the Washington State Department of Health, while the bacteria are called blue-green algae, a lake bloom can look like anything from a sheen of green paint floating on the water to bluish, brown or even reddish green.

Blue-green algae are actually a type of ancient bacteria and are one of the simplest and earliest life forms to arise on earth.