Toxic Algae Down, Waughop Lake Reopens To Public

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For everyone who fished Waughop:

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department released a surface water advisory Wednesday (Oct. 12), reopening Waughop Lake at Fort Steilacoom Park in Lakewood.

Toxic algae in the lake has significantly decreased, said Bridget Vandeventer, communications and community relations manager for the health department. Microcystin, a toxin produced by naturally occurring algae, had posed a high risk for adverse health effects. The lake algae was deemed poisonous and potentially fatal to pets and possibly people on Aug. 10.

The cautionary warning sign now recommends that people and pets not swim. Boating and other recreational activities, however, are deemed safe. The warning also recommends that people clean their fish well and discard the guts.

Warning signs have been posted since May 2009. Water quality at Waughop Lake became an issue in 1978, according to a Pierce County Study. The city of Lakewood has managed the site since 2006 and has applied calcium hydroxide to the lake on an experimental basis to reduce algae growth.