LONG LAKE PARK SWIM AREA STATUS
February 20, 2021
Water conditions have improved and the beach has reopened.
January 20, 2021
The beach and swimming area at Long Lake Park are closed.
Thurston County Health Department is in the process of testing the water to determine if algae toxins are present.
October 13, 2020
Advisories Lifted at City of Lacey's Long Lake Swimming Beach
Water conditions have improved and the beach has reopened.
October 1, 2020
City of Lacey’s Long Lake Park Swimming Beach Remains Closed
Thurston County Public Health and Social Services’ (PHSS) latest test result confirmed the toxic blue-green algae bloom in Lacey’s Long Lake is below the health advisory limit. PHHS has lifted the algae advisory for Long Lake. However, Long Lake Swimming Beach will remain closed due to an algae surface "scum" that could be dangerous The swimming beach will re-open when conditions improve.
September 18, 2020 Update
City of Lacey’s Long Lake Park Swimming Beach Remains Closed
Long Lake Under Toxic Blue-Green Algae Advisory Levels unsafe for humans and pets. The Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) department confirmed there is a toxic blue-green algae bloom in Lacey’s Long Lake, making it unsafe for swimmers and pets. The most recent sample detected microcystin algae toxin levels at 72 micrograms per liter of water—above the state standard of eight micrograms per liter for recreational water use.
September 14, 2020 Update
City of Lacey’s Long Lake Park Swimming Beach Remains Closed
The beach and swimming area at Long Long Lake Park remain closed due to algae "scum" on the surface.
September 3, 2020 Update
City of Lacey’s Long Lake Park Swimming Beach Remains Closed
Thurston County Public Health and Social Services’ (PHSS) latest test result confirmed the toxic blue-green algae bloom in Lacey’s Long Lake is below the health advisory limit; however, some closures and advisories remain in effect.
Long Lake has been closed due to a health advisory for the algae toxin microcystins, a liver toxin. The most recent sample found the toxin was below the advisory limit for the second week in a row, resulting in the toxic algae advisory being lifted by PHSS.
However, the City of Lacey’s Long Lake Park swimming beach will remain closed due to algae “scum” on the surface and poor water visibility that creates unsafe conditions for swimming at the park. Long Lake Park remains open to the public. The swimming beach will re-open when conditions improve. PHSS staff are working with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife and local community associations to re-open access to the lake.
Additionally, PHSS recommends continued precautions because algae blooms can change at anytime.
• Avoid contact with water containing algae
• Keep pets and livestock out of the water
• Clean fish well and discard guts
• Do not drink water taken from the lake
Algae blooms during the summer months are common and PHSS regularly tests surrounding lakes for the presence of algae and corresponding toxicity levels. You can learn more about toxic algae blooms and health risks on the Washington State Department of Health’s Blue-Green Algae website, or contact the Thurston County Health Department at 360-867-2626.
August 19, 2020 Update
Long Lake Under Toxic Blue-Green Algae Advisory Levels unsafe for humans and pets
The Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) department confirmed there is a toxic blue-green algae bloom in Lacey’s Long Lake, making it unsafe for swimmers and pets. The most recent sample detected microcystin algae toxin levels at 14 micrograms per liter of water—above the state standard of eight micrograms per liter for recreational water use.
In response to these findings, the City of Lacey will keep the beach and swimming area of Long Lake closed until the Thurston County Health Department can confirm microcystin toxicity levels are below eight micrograms. Long Lake Park remains open to the public. PHSS staff are working with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife and local community associations to close access to the lake and post advisory signs. Additionally, PHSS recommends extra precautions be taken to avoid the health risks posed by microcystin toxins.
• Stay out of the lake
• Avoid contact with water containing algae
• Keep pets and livestock out of the water
• When fishing, it is safest to catch-and-release any fish caught during a toxic algae bloom
• Do not Jet Ski, kayak, paddle board or boat on the water during a toxic algae bloom
• Do not drink water taken from the lake
Algae blooms during the summer months are common and PHSS regularly tests surrounding lakes for the presence of algae and corresponding toxicity levels. Long Lake will remain closed to swimmers until microsystin levels are below eight micrograms per liter.
You can learn more about toxic algae blooms and health risks on the Washington State Department of Health’s Blue-Green Algae website, or contact the Thurston County Health Department at 360-867-2626.
August 13, 2020 Update- The beach and swimming area at Long Long Lake Park remain closed due to algae "scum" on the surface and poor water visibility.
August 7, 2020 - The beach and swimming area at Long Lake Park are closed. A combination of algae "scum" viewed on the surface and poor water visibility indicate the possibility of a toxic blue-green algae bloom.
Thurston County Health Department is in the process of testing the water to determine if algae toxins are present. They will continue testing water samples, weekly. The swim area will remain closed until a minimum of two results are under the advisory level of toxins for safe swimming.
According to the Washington State Department of Health, a combination of warm temperatures, sunlight, and nutrient-rich waters can cause blue-green algae to reproduce rapidly, known as "blooming." Blue-green blooms usually float to the surface and can be several inches thick near the shoreline. Some blue-green algae can produce toxins or poisons, potentially causing illness in humans, pets, and other animals that are exposed to it.
To learn more about blue-green algae, and what to do if you see an algae bloom, visit doh.wa.gov/ehp/algae.
Further changes to Long Lake Park’s swim area will be posted at ci.lacey.wa.us/Long-Lake-Park.
For information about Long Lake Park, call Jenny Wilson, Lacey Parks and Recreation, at (360) 491-0857.
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