Monthly Archive: November 2012

UPDATE NOV. 30, 2012

On October 2, 2012 Seattle Park Department closed Green Lake to wading, swimming, and wet water boating activities in response to test results showing a high level of microcystin, a toxin produced by a cyanobacteria (bluegreen algae) that exceeded the guidance levels for recreational waters.

Green Lake Now Open!

The most recent samples collected November 26 showed the level of microcystin to be less than the minimum detection limit. This was the third week in a row that the level has been less than the guidance level. With this being the third week of test results with the level of microcystin at less than the guidance level, the park department will be removing the closure notice signs.

King County Department of Health and the Seattle Park Department make the determination to remove the closure notices when the test results have been below the guidance levels for the required amount of time.

Test results for many lakes including Green Lake are posted at nwtoxicalgae.org. Go to the website and search for Green Lake to find Green Lake test results. If you have questions or comments or observations you can email FOGL President Garet Munger.

We urge you to join with other Friends of Green Lake at our monthly meetings as we learn more about algae and the lake. See meeting notices elsewhere on this page. In the meantime it is good cautionary practice to keep dogs from entering and drinking the lake water. Be especially careful where there is a bright green scum on the water.

PLEASE NOTE: It is best at this time NOT to take a sample yourself because the algae could be toxic.
Photo by Gayle Garman

You are invited to a FOGL Work Party on Saturday December 8 from 9 to 11 AM. A growing accumulation of milfoil hugs the Green Lake shoreline, blown around by the wind and decomposing. With a group of interested folks working with rakes and pitch forks for a couple hours in the morning, we can get much of the accumulation out of the water and into piles that the park department will pick up and dispose of. Parks will provide a collection of rakes and pitch forks, but bring your own tools if you have them – plus you may want to bring rubber boots and gloves, too. Even waders to work beyond the shoreline for the brave. For all of those interested, we will meet in the west side parking lot near the Bathhouse Theater at 9:00 on Saturday December 8. . If you plan to come or have questions, call or email Garet Munger (206-524-4326.) Or just come! All are welcome!
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On October 2, 2012 Seattle Park Department closed Green Lake to wading, swimming, and wet water boating activities. The closure was in response to test results that show a high level of microcystin, a toxin produced by a cyanobacteria more commonly known as bluegreen algae. A water sample collected on September 28th showed the toxin level exceeded the guidance levels for recreational waters.

Closure Remains in Effect at This Time

The most recent sample collected October 22 exceeded the guidance level. As a result the closure remains in effect. Additional samples will be collected and analyzed by King County this week and next to determine when the level of toxin has dropped below the guidance level.

King County Department of Health and the Seattle Park Department will make the determination to remove the closure notices when the test results show the toxin level is below the guidance levels.

Test results for many lakes including Green Lake are posted at nwtoxicalgae.org. Go to the website and search for Green Lake to find Green Lake test results. If you have questions or comments or observations you can email Garet Munger at garetpeter@comcast.net.

We urge you to join with other Friends of Green Lake at our monthly meetings as we learn more about algae and the lake. See meeting notices elsewhere on this page.

In the meantime it is good cautionary practice to keep dogs from entering and drinking the lake water. Be especially careful where there is a bright green scum on the water.

PLEASE NOTE: It is best at this time NOT to take a sample yourself because the algae could be toxic.
Photo by Gayle Garman