Health officials have lifted warnings for residents to avoid contact with Wiser Lake.
Recent samplings detected microcystin biotoxin levels below the maximum safe level established by the Environmental Protection Agency. However, given the recurring issue of harmful algal blooms in the lake south of Lynden, Whatcom County Health and Community Services is urging people to “exercise caution and be alert for visible algal blooms.”
The health department issued the now-lifted warnings in August, but caution signage has been posted at the lake since 2019 due to consistently elevated toxin levels.
People should avoid water contact where there are algal blooms, and pets should not swim in those areas, the health department said in a news release.
Microcystins can affect the liver, causing abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms.
Charlotte Alden is CDN’s general assignment/enterprise reporter; reach her at charlottealden@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 123.
