The number of lakes in south Pierce County under a toxic algae alert is down to three.
At the end of last week, Spanaway Lake, Whitman Lake and Silver Lake still had the bacteria that threatens the health of people and animals when it's floating on water surfaces in scummy plumes.
The lakes are the subject of Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department advisory warnings about algae conditions. The same warning has been lifted for Ohop Lake.
The warnings mean the water in lakes has cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, which can produce toxins.
Warm summer weather causes the algae to reproduce and spread rapidly across the surface of the water – which, if consumed, can make people seriously ill or even kill them. The same goes for pets, livestock and waterfowl.
Health officials say people should stay out of any parts of lakes that have the algae, keep pets and livestock away, and avoid boating in such areas. In addition, anglers should thoroughly clean any fish they catch in the lakes before eating them.
Doctors or veterinarians should be consulted about any sudden or unexplained sicknesses or signs of poisoning.
Two other lakes in Pierce County – Steilacoom and Waughop – also are under toxic algae advisories.
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