Alanna Hartzell
September 5 at 3:43 PM ·

​The Toxic Algae warning on the lake has been lifted!!!

All activities can resume!!!


 
Help prevent toxic algae blooms
Reduce fertilizer use
Maintain your Septic System
Pick up animal waste
Don’t feed waterfowl
Reduce runoff and erosion

Alanna Hartzell
Admin · Yesterday at 10:21 AMLAKE STATUS
TPCHD TESTED THE LAKE MONDAY August 12th
RESULTS BACK THURSDAY 16th
MICROCYSTIN LEVELS ARE AT 25.91 ug/l
ORIGINAL LEVELS ON JULY 15
WAS 242 UG/L
GUIDELINES ARE ISSUED AT 6ug/l
(ug/l means micrograms per liter of water)

LAKE IS STILL AT "CAUTION" LEVEL GUIDELINES!
CONCENTRATIONS ARE IN THE NORTH EAST CORNER OF THE LAKE, LOOK FOR GREEN SCUM
"WHEN IN DOUBT STAY OUT"
OUR LAKE IS IMPROVING, LOWER TEMPERATURES , CLOUDY SKIES AND RAIN ALL HELP

Don Thomson: Lake Committee
· July 12 at 5:19 PM
 
The results have come back from environmental health and unfortunately there are toxins in the lake stemming from algae bloom. Pierce County Environmental Health has issued a toxic advisory for Lake Minterwood and the lake has been officially shutdown for any body contact.
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As of yet, we do not know how long the advisory will last. That will depend on Environmental Health and the results of further testing.

Subject: Toxic Algae Caution Advisory Issued Today for Lake Minterwood
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department wants you to know there is a toxic algae bloom in Lake Minterwood.  Areas of the lake with algae are unsafe for people and pets.
·         Keep children and pets away from areas with algae
·         Do not swim, wade, water ski, or fish in areas with algae
You can easily identify a toxic algae bloom because of its unusual color or appearance in the water. Usually a bloom makes the lake surface look like pea soup or green paint, but sometimes the bloom may be a different color (bluish or brownish). Wind and rain can greatly change the amount and location of algae in the lakes.
Swallowing lake water containing algae or prolonged skin contact with the algae may result in illness, such as muscle weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, and/or nausea. Anyone who swallows water containing large amounts of algae should seek immediate medical attention.
The risk to pets is much greater than the risk to people. Pets have smaller body sizes and are more likely to drink water containing a heavy concentration of algae. If a pet ingests a large amount of algae and is showing signs such as vomiting, lethargy, disorientation, or seizures, take it to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Runoff from fertilizers, animal and human waste reach our lakes and contribute to algae growth. Reducing the use of fertilizers, properly maintaining septic systems, and properly disposing of pet waste helps improve water quality in lakes, streams, groundwater, and Puget Sound.
For more information, please contact Ray Hanowell at (253) 798-2845 (rhanowell@tpchd.org), or Austin Jennings at (253) 798-4715 (ajennings@tpchd.org), or visit our website at www.tpchd.org/toxicalgae.
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Northwest Aquatic Eco Systems has been contracted to chemically treat Lake Minterwood with aquatic herbicide(s)/algaecide(s)  as required for weed and algae control. The treatments will take place throughout the summer as needed within the following timelines : May 15-June 20, July 15- July 30, August 15- August 30 and September 1-September 15. Our first treatment will be on or about May 15th and as soon as the actual date is known it will be posted on this site. Signs will be posed on both ends of the lake a couple of days prior to the scheduled treatment.  No swimming is allowed during this time. For more information regarding the chemical treatment click HERE