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If you are receiving this email, you have signed up to get email updates on Lake Martha (North) from Snohomish County Surface Water Management's Lakes program. |
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Lake Martha (North) is experiencing heavy blue-green algae with intermittent scum along the shorelines.
A sample was collected on Monday, May 8th and screened for toxins. Sample results show toxin levels are below the recreational guideline levels set by the Washington Department of Health (DOH). The DOH recreational guideline levels are 8 parts per billion (ppb) for microcystin (liver toxin) and 1 ppb for Anatoxin (neurotoxin).
WARNING signs were posted at the public boat launch which provide guidance for lake recreation (see adjacent sign). It is especially important to avoid areas of algae scum because this is where the toxin levels are the highest.
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The WARNING signs advise the following:
- Do not swim in the lake
- Do not drink lake water
- Keep pets away from the lake
- Clean fish well and discard guts
- Avoid areas of scum when boating
Toxic algae can cause serious illness in humans who drink or play in affected waters. Pets that drink the water are at particular risk. If you or your pet are exposed to a blue-green algae bloom and have unexplained sickness or signs of poisoning, call your health care provider or veterinarian.
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Algae scum may look like green, blue or white paint floating on the water surface, often along the shoreline. |
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