ATTN: WATERFOWLERS

[Bigluke1981]

According to the Grant county health district there is a toxic algae bloom in the moses lake, potholes basin that has affected a lot of the places us duck and goose hunters usually hunt on opening weekend. I saw a link on social media and decided to call the wdfw office in ephrata and they confirmed as of last thursday that most of the postholes resivour and surrounding bodies of water do in fact have a very toxic alge bloom that can be harmfull to both humans and pets/livestock. They recommend keeping dogs out of the water until the levels come down.  Does anyone have any more info on this???  I will attach the notice from health dept below.

[Sandberm]

Another thread in the fishing section with links.

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,231809.0.html

[pianoman9701]

I wonder if we'll see another waterfowl die-off like last year.

[vandeman17]

Wonder if othello area bodies of water are in danger

[Mfowl]

Wonder if othello area bodies of water are in danger

Yes, some are completely shut down to water access.

[Odell]

Check your preferred body of water here:
 
https://www.nwtoxicalgae.org/Data.aspx

[eastsidemallard74]

It's because they can't flush the lake either way, . Potholes is too low, and rumor is the new damn just completed on Moses is broke , and can't open the doors. I'm surprised it's still this high, a lot of people out fishing both,and with the cooler weather we've had, i would assume the levels would lower.

[boneaddict]

Thanks for the heads up!

[Bill W]

The access isn't shut down here.  The launches are low and while it may prevent someone from launching or getting back to a section of the lake, the water is open for hunting.  Having said that I personally would not take my dog out.  Mine got sick two or three years ago and back then I thought she got overly tired.  Now I think it was blue green algae that caused her problem.  Took a vet visit to alleviate things.

For those who hunt, have fun slogging in the mud.

[vandeman17]

Is it generally bigger bodies of water?

[ducksdogsdownriggers]

It happens on the Columbia River occasionally as well.  Rufus Woods area seems to be most common. 
https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2017/aug/25/warnings-issued-about-algae-toxin-in-rufus-woods-lake/

Is it generally bigger bodies of water?

[vandeman17]

Does anyone have any resources or places to look to try and see if a small body of water I want to hunt has this algae at high levels? I have called the Moses Lake wdfw office twice now and it just goes to voicemail... 

[Special T]

Does anyone have any resources or places to look to try and see if a small body of water I want to hunt has this algae at high levels? I have called the Moses Lake wdfw office twice now and it just goes to voicemail... 

https://www.nwtoxicalgae.org/Data.aspx

Or contact the Grant County Health department

[BD1]

I would just leave the dog home...

[vandeman17]

I would just leave the dog home...

I just talked with health department and was told that is was basically "go at your own discretion" since they have only tested the big bodies of water.