Current Advisories for Grant County:
NO CURRENT ADVISORIES |
Grant County Healthy Lakes Tracker
Beginning in July 2023, GCHD launched the Healthy Lakes Tracker Pilot Project. The pilot project covers Moses Lake and was developed in coordination with the Columbia Basin Conservation District and Moses Lake Watershed Council. GCHD will coordinate with CSCUM, our volunteer group, to go out every week to 13 observation sites around the lake which can be seen on maps below. The observation sites are at popular public access areas such as parks, swim areas, and boat launches. Volunteers will check for harmful algae blooms and upload photos of the lake at each site. You can view the photos and see current advisories on the Healthy Lakes Tracker by clicking here or on the image below.
Currently only Moses Lake is included in the Healthy Lakes Tracker, but GCHD hopes to expand the project to Potholes Reservoir in 2024.
Advisories and Toxin Sampling Results
Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District (MLIRD) also samples Moses Lake at Connelly Park located at the north end of the lake. Click here to see those results on their website.
The recreational guidelines for cyanotoxins most likely to be in Grant County are:
Microcystin = 8ug/L
Anatoxin = 1 ug/L
Data Qualifiers:
- <MDL means a level of toxin below the method detection level for the test done
- <RDL means a level of toxin below the minimum lab reporting level
HAB Monitoring Results
Sample Location | Date Sampled | ||
---|---|---|---|
Blue Heron Park, Moses Lake | 10/24/2023 | ||
Cascade Valley Park, Moses Lake | 10/23/2023 | ||
Blue Heron Park, Moses Lake | 10/16/2023 | ||
Perch Point, Potholes Reservoir | 10/16/2023 | ||
Cascade Valley Park, Moses Lake | 10/16/2023 | ||
Blue Heron Park, Moses Lake | 10/3/2023 | > 10 | |
Cascade Valley Park, Moses Lake | 10/3/2023 | > 10 | |
Lower Peninsula Park, Moses Lake | 9/18/2023 | ||
North Dam Outlet, Moses Lake | 9/18/2023 | ||
Connelly Park Boat Ramp, Moses Lake | 9/12/2023 | ||
Neppel Landing, Moses Lake | 9/11/2023 | ||
Cascade Valley Park, Moses Lake | 9/11/2023 | > 10 | |
North Dam Outlet, South Dam Outlet, and the Sand Dunes - Moses Lake | 9/11/2023 | Bloom Observed | |
Potholes Reservoir at Perch Point | 8/29/2023 | Bloom Observed, No Sample Taken | |
Blue Heron Park, Moses Lake | 8/28/2023 | > 10 | |
Connelly Park Boat Launch, Moses Lake | 8/21/2023 | ||
Blue Heron Park Swim Area, Moses Lake | 8/21/2023 | ||
Sand Dunes, Moses Lake | 8/21/2023 | ||
Sand Dunes Moses Lake | 8/14/2023 | ||
Blue Heron Park Swim Beach, Moses Lake | 8/14/2023 | ||
Potholes Reservoir at Perch Point | 7/10/2023 | Bloom Observed, No Sample Taken | |
Moses Lake, Probable Bloom Observed Along Westshore Drive | 7/5/2023 | ||
Potholes Reservoir at Perch Point | 6/26/2023 | Bloom Observed, No Sample Taken | |
Potholes Reservoir at Perch Point | 6/20/2023 | Bloom Observed, No Sample Taken | |
Potholes Reservoir at Perch Point | 6/12/2023 | 317 | |
Blue Heron Park (Moses Lake) | 11/14/2022 | ||
Sand Dunes South Outlet Dam (Moses Lake) | 11/7/2022 | ||
Sand Dunes North Outlet Dam (Moses Lake) | 11/7/2022 | Blooms observed, No Sample Taken | |
Soap Lake East Beach | 10/26/2022 | ||
Blue Heron Park (Moses Lake) | 10/25/2022 | Blooms observed, No Sample Taken | |
Connelly Park (Moses Lake) | 10/24/2022 | Blooms observed, No Sample Taken | |
West Shore of Pelican Horn South of I-90 (Moses Lake) | 10/24/2022 | 320 | |
Blue Heron Park (Moses Lake) | 10/17/2022 | Blooms observed, No Sample Taken | |
Sand Dunes (Moses Lake) | 10/17/2022 | Blooms observed, No Sample Taken | |
Connelly Park (Moses Lake) | 10/17/2022 | Blooms observed, No Sample Taken | |
Blue Heron Park Boat Launch (Moses Lake) | 10/10/2022 | 187 | |
Sand Dunes @ "Mud Flat Beach" (Moses Lake) | 10/4/2022 | ||
Cascade Park (Moses Lake) | 9/19/2022 | 13.3 | |
Connelly Park (Moses Lake) MLIRD Site A | 9/19/2022 | ||
Connelly Park (Moses Lake) MLIRD Site B | 9/19/2022 | ||
Connelly Park (Moses Lake) MLIRD Site C | 9/19/2022 | ||
Connelly Park (Moses Lake) MLIRD Site D | 9/19/2022 | ||
Connelly Park (Moses Lake) MLIRD Site E | 9/19/2022 | ||
Blue Heron Park Boat Launch (Moses Lake) | 9/13/2022 | 962 | |
Cascade Park (Moses Lake) | 7/13/2022 | ||
Sun Lakes State Park Swim Area | 7/12/2022 | ||
Connelly Park Swim Beach | 10/25/2021 | ||
Connelly Park Swim Beach | 10/18/2021 | ||
Sand Dunes at North Dam | 10/11/2021 | ||
Connelly Park Swim Beach | 10/4/2021 | ||
MLIRD Site E (Connelly Park) | 9/22/2021 | ||
MLIRD Site D (Connelly Park) | 9/22/2021 | ||
MLIRD Site C (Connelly Park) | 9/22/2021 | ||
MLIRD Site B (Connelly Park) | 9/22/2021 | ||
MLIRD Site A (Connelly Park) | 9/22/2021 | ||
Columbia River along Priest Rapids Trail (Desert Aire) (saxitoxin and cylindrospermospin 8/23/2021 | | ||
Cascade Valley Park | 10/5/2020 | ||
Blue Heron Park | 10/5/2020 | ||
Connelly Park Boat Launch | 9/29/2020 | ||
Connelly Park - Swim Beach | 9/29/2020 | ||
Connelly Park - Shore between Swim Beach and Boat Launch | 9/29/2020 | ||
Connelly Park - SE of Swim Beach (opposite side of peninsula) | 9/29/2020 | ||
Sand Dunes | 9/28/2020 | ||
Blue Heron Park | 9/28/2020 | ||
Connelly Park | 9/21/2020 | ||
Blue Heron Park Boat Launch | 9/21/2020 | ||
Cascade Park | 9/14/2020 | ||
Blue Heron Park Boat Launch | 9/14/2020 | ||
Connelly Park Boat Launch | 9/1/2020 | ||
Connelly Park - Swim Beach | 9/1/2020 | ||
Connelly Park - Shore between Swim Beach and Boat Launch | 9/1/2020 | ||
Connelly Park - SE of Swim Beach (opposite side of peninsula) | 9/1/2020 | ||
Cascade Park | 8/31/2020 | ||
Blue Heron Park | 8/31/2020 | ||
Connelly Park Boat Launch | 8/26/2020 | ||
Connelly Park - Swim Beach | 8/26/2020 | ||
Connelly Park - Shore between Swim Beach and Boat Launch | 8/26/2020 | ||
Connelly Park - SE of Swim Beach (opposite side of peninsula) | 8/26/2020 | ||
Neppel Landing Dock | 8/24/2020 | ||
Cascade Valley Park boat launch | 8/24/2020 | ||
Connelly Park Boat Launch | 8/18/2020 | ||
Connelly Park - Swim Beach | 8/18/2020 | ||
Connelly Park - Shore between Swim Beach and Boat Launch | 8/18/2020 | ||
Connelly Park - SE of Swim Beach (opposite side of peninsula) | 8/18/2020 | ||
Sand Dunes (Moses Lake) | 8/17/2020 | ||
Blue Heron Park (Moses Lake) | 8/17/2020 | ||
Perch Point (Potholes Reservoir) | 8/10/2020 | ||
Montlake Park (Moses Lake) | 8/10/2020 | ||
Blue Heron Park (Moses Lake) | 8/10/2020 | ||
Connelly Park - Swim Beach | 8/5/2020 | ||
Connelly Park - Shore between Swim Beach and Boat Launch | 8/5/2020 | ||
Connelly Park - SE of Swim Beach (opposite side of peninsula) | 8/5/2020 | ||
Connelly Park - Boat Launch | 8/5/2020 | ||
Potholes State Park | 8/3/2020 | ||
Cascade Valley Park | 8/3/2020 | ||
Blue Heron Park | 8/3/2020 | ||
Connelly Park (4 sites along shoreline of the park, taken by MLIRD) | 7/29/2020 | 3 18 1078 | |
Sand Dunes (Moses Lake) | 7/27/2020 | ||
Perch Point (Potholes Reservoir) | 7/27/2020 | ||
Blue Heron Park Boat Launch | 7/27/2020 | ||
Connelly Park (4 sites along shoreline of the park, taken by MLIRD) | 7/22/2020 | 1.3 2.2 3.3 | |
Potholes State Park Boat Launch | 7/20/2020 | ||
Montlake Park Boat Launch | 7/20/2020 | ||
Cascade Valley Park Swim Area | 7/20/2020 | ||
Potholes Reservoir at Perch Point | 7/14/2020 | ||
Potholes Reservoir at Blythe Public Access | 7/14/2020 | ||
Connelly Park Boat Launch | 7/13/2020 | ||
Blue Heron Park Boat Launch | 7/13/2020 | ||
Connelly Park Swim Beach | 7/6/2020 | ||
Cascade Park Boat Launch | 7/6/2020 | ||
Willow Lake | 6/29/2020 | ||
Connelly Park Boat Launch | 6/29/2020 | ||
Cascade Park | 6/29/2020 | ||
Connelly Park | 6/22/2020 | ||
Blue Heron Park Boat Launch | 6/22/2020 | ||
Sand Dunes at North Dam Outlet | 11/4/2019 | ||
Cascade Park Boat Launch | 11/4/2019 | ||
Sand Dunes at North Dam Outlet | 10/28/2019 | ||
Connelly Park Boat Launch | 10/28/2019 | ||
Cascade Park Boat Launch | 10/28/2019 | ||
Blue Heron Park Boat Launch | 10/28/2019 | ||
Sand Dunes | 10/21/2019 | ||
Connelly Park Boat Launch | 10/21/2019 | ||
Cascade Park Boat Launch | 10/21/2019 | ||
Blue Heron Park Boat Launch | 10/21/2019 | ||
Sand Dunes at North Outlet | 10/14/2019 | ||
Connelly Park Boat Launch | 10/14/2019 | ||
Cascade Park Boat Launch | 10/14/2019 | ||
Blue Heron Park Boat Launch | 10/14/2019 | ||
Sand Dunes | 10/7/2019 | ||
Connelly Park Boat Launch | 10/7/2019 | ||
Cascade Park Boat Launch | 10/7/2019 | ||
Blue Heron Park Swim Area | 10/7/2019 | ||
Lower Peninsula Park Boat Launch | 9/30/2019 | ||
Connelly Park Boat Launch | 9/30/2019 | ||
Cascade Park Boat Launch | 9/30/2019 | ||
Blue Heron Park Boat Launch | 9/30/2019 | ||
Sand Dunes | 9/23/2019 | ||
Connelly Park Boat Launch | 9/23/2019 | ||
Cascade Park Boat Launch | 9/23/2019 | ||
Blue Heron Park Boat Launch | 9/23/2019 | ||
Sand Dunes | 9/16/2019 | ||
Connelly Park Boat Launch | 9/16/2019 | ||
Cascade Park Boat Launch | 9/16/2019 | ||
Blue Heron Park Boat Launch | 9/16/2019 | ||
Sand Dunes @ North Outlet Public Access | 9/9/2019 | ||
Connelly Park Boat Launch | 9/9/2019 | ||
Cascade Park Boat Launch | 9/9/2019 | ||
Blue Heron Park Boat Launch | 9/9/2019 | ||
Sand Dunes Swim Area | 9/3/2019 | ||
Connelly Park | 9/3/2019 | ||
Cascade Valley Boat Launch | 9/3/2019 | ||
Blue Heron Park Boat Launch | 9/3/2019 | ||
Lower Peninsula Park Boat Launch | 8/26/2019 | ||
Blue Heron Park Boat Launch | 8/26/2019 | ||
Sand Dunes | 8/19/2019 | ||
Blue Heron Park Boat Launch | 8/19/2019 | ||
No samples taken the week of Aug 12-16, 2019 | 8/12/2019 | ||
Sand Dunes | 8/5/2019 | ||
Blue Heron Park Boat Launch | 8/5/2019 | ||
Sand Dunes | 7/30/2019 | ||
Blue Heron Park Boat Launch | 7/30/2019 | ||
Montlake Park Boat Launch | 7/22/2019 | ||
Connelly Park Swim Beach | 7/22/2019 | ||
Blue Heron Park Boat Launch | 7/22/2019 | ||
Cascade Park Boat Launch | 7/15/2019 | ||
Blue Heron Park Boat Launch | 7/15/2019 | ||
Connelly Park Swim Beach | 7/9/2019 |
To make this possible, CSCUM volunteers are needed to go out every week to observation sites. There is at least one observation site per zone. Please click on the maps below to see the advisory zones and observation sites. If you are interested in volunteering, you can find more information about CSCUM on this page.
There is an informational sign that may be posted at waterbodies that have a history of blue-green algae blooms. These signs stay up year-round even, if when there are no harmful algae blooms on the lake.The first advisory sign is a Warning Sign. Warning signs are posted when sampling results show the algae bloom has toxin levels above recreational guidelines. This means the water is unsafe for people and pets and you should avoid contact with the lake including swimming, wading, skiing, or tubing.
The second advisory sign is a Danger Sign. Danger signs are posted when GCHD gets confirmed reports of people getting sick from cyanobacteria toxins. Danger signs will also be posted if there is a confirmed report of the death of a pet. Danger signs mean the lake is closed to all recreation.Monitoring for Harmful Algae Blooms
The app does not show the level of toxins, only the amount of cyanobacteria in the water. The photos are updated once per week and may not represent conditions of the lake during other times. Harmful algae blooms float and move around in a waterbody due to wind and currents. When in doubt – STAY OUT!
- Avoid all contact with the water.
- Keep pets and livestock away from the water.
- Call the Grant County Health District at 509-766-7960 and report the location.
Additional Resources
- Cyanobacteria Information (GCHD)
- Moses Lake Watershed Council
- Blue-Green Algae (DOH)
- Harmful Algae Bloom Associated Illness (CDC)
- Washington State Toxic Algae (DOH & WA Dept of Ecology)
- Toxic Blue-Green Algae Blooms Brochure
- Information on Lake Friendly Landscaping can be found at the bottom of the City of Moses Lake’s Shoreline page.
- EPA Cyanobacteria Assessment Network Mobile Application (CyAN app)
- Find out which freshwater lakes have been sampled for toxic algae: Toxic Algae Database (WA Dept of Ecology)