Lone Lake closed after toxins found

Published 10:00 am Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Lone Lake in Langley has been closed to all swimming and recreation due to extremely high levels of a toxin produced by blue-green algae.

The Island County Health Department closed the lake Tuesday after receiving lab results that confirmed the presence of the toxic bloom.

The algae, a bright greenish-blue bloom, can be seen along the shoreline. It is actually a bacteria that can cause illness and even death. It can be extremely toxic in small amounts and can cause skin rash. And it can be lethal to animals within minutes to a few hours, depending on the size of the animal and the amount of the bloom ingested.

Fishing and boating in the lake is also prohibited.

Health department officials went door to door Wednesday to warn residents living around the lake about the danger.

The bloom is present in the entire lake. Blooms may occur in succession for several months.