County warns of algae bloom at Vance Creek park

Signs encourage people and pets to stay out of and not drink the water.

August 22, 2019 10:00 am
A sign is posted beside Vance Creek County Park Pond No. 2 on Monday south of Elma. The county has issued an warning about the presence of blue-green algae in the water. The algae can make people sick or be fatal to animals, including pets. Residents are advised to stay out of the water. (Michael Lang | Grays Harbor News Group)
A sign is posted beside Vance Creek County Park Pond No. 2 on Monday south of Elma. The county has issued an warning about the presence of blue-green algae in the water. The algae can make people sick or be fatal to animals, including pets. Residents are advised to stay out of the water. (Michael Lang | Grays Harbor News Group)

Grays Harbor County officials on Tuesday warned of a blue-green algae bloom at Vance Creek County Park south of Elma.

Cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, blooms when the temperature, sunlight and nutrient conditions are right. Some blue-green algae cause toxic blooms that can cause serious illness in people or be fatal to pets, birds and other animal, according to the Washington State Department of Health.

The Grays Harbor County Environmental Health Division confirmed the cyanobacteria bloom in Pond No. 2 on Monday at Vance Creek park.