Toxic algae detected at Blue Heron Park boat launch

MOSES LAKE — On Sept. 16, Grant County Health District announced that blue-green algae was detected in Moses Lake at the Blue Heron Park boat launch.

The release stated that in response, GCHD issued a closure for the swimming beach at the park and a warning for the rest of Moses Lake. Warning signs have been posted around the lake.

GCHD is advising that residents:

• Avoid all personal contact with Moses Lake water near Blue Heron Park and use caution in other areas of the lake. Including recreational water activities (skiing, kayaking, wakeboarding, etc.)

• Watch for and avoid areas of scum which could contain the blue-green algae toxin

• Do not drink the lake water

• Keep all pets and livestock away from the lake water

• Clean fish caught in Moses Lake well and discard their guts

The release states additional testing at the launch and other locations around the lake is planned for next week.

For more information GCHD suggests the following sites:

Weekly sample results will be posted to the GCHD website at http://granthealth.org/blue-green-algae

To learn how algae impacts the lake, go to the Moses Lake Watershed Council website: moseslakewatershed.org

Questions may also be asked at the next Moses Lake Watershed Council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 10 a.m. (https://www.moseslakewatershed.org/events)