Water "scum" prompts Caution signs at 2 lakes

Jonn Lunsford, with the city’s Parks & Recreation Dept., said in a recent report on the Forest Lands, “When we see what might look like someone spilled a can of bright green paint in the water along the shore, that is a typical sign of a potential toxic algae bloom.”

Water samples tested in June and July for Heart Lake have not shown evidence of toxin production at a level of health concern. Water sample results are pending from Little Cranberry Lake.

Skagit County Public Health Dept says “We are entering the season when cyanobacteria (blue green algae) blooms can appear in Skagit County lakes. Please be aware that when you see unusually green scum within the water or very bright green colored water it is best to stay out of the water until the scum is cleared.”

Please contact the Health Department at 336-9474 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you see signs of significant colored scum in a lake. The Health Department can test for cyanobacteria toxins when there is visual evidence of a cyanobacteria bloom in a lake.

Visual evidence of a bloom and water test results are used to determine if Caution, Warning, or Closure signs will be posted at public access points to lakes.