WHITMAN COUNTY, Wash. — Whitman County Public Health (WCPH) has confirmed that a harmful algal bloom was found in the Snake River.
WCPH said a water sample near Granite Point on Friday tested positive for a liver toxin called microcystins. WCPH also said the harmful algal bloom is located in the stretch of the Snake River intermittently between Nisqually John Landing and Little Goose Dam.
WCPH is asking people to avoid areas of water with "visible green scum on the surface of the water that appears like spilled paint."
Signage is posted at the Lower Granite Lock and Dam, at the Dunes, the Nisqually John Landing, Blyton Landing, Wawawai Landing, Granite Point and Wawawai County Park telling people to stay out of the water that is showing a visible bloom.
WCPH also suggests you do the following:
- Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski, or boat in waters where there is a visible bloom.
- Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have contact with algae or discolored or smelly water.
- Keep pets away from the area. Waters where there are harmful algal blooms are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should have a different source of water when algae blooms are present.
- Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate the toxins.
- Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.
WCPH said there will be additional testing in the coming weeks to look at the full scope of the harmful algal bloom.
To find updating sampling results, go to this link on the Whitman County Public Health website.
