In the Splash Newsletter - Advisory update for Vancouver and Battle Ground Lake!

Advisory updates and other information to encourage safe recreation

June 24th, 2022 Update

Advisory Updates for Vancouver & Battle Ground Lake

Clark County Public Health has lifted the closure at Vancouver Lake but has issued a warning for the swim beach. Test results from water samples collected on Tuesday showed water quality has improved, but E. coli bacteria levels were still elevated in one of five samples.

During a beach warning:

Swimming and wading not advised especially for young children.
When fishing, clean fish well and wash hands and equipment after.
If coming into contact with water;
Rinse off before and after.
Know where the bathrooms and changing stations are located.

Battle Ground Lake

beach warning advisory removed!

Public Health issued a warning for the swim beach at Battle Ground Lake on Thursday, June 16 after routine testing showed elevated levels of E. coli bacteria. Test results from water samples collected on Tuesday showed improved water quality, prompting Public Health to remove the warning advisory.

Next scheduled date for E.coli sampling of all designated swimming beaches is June 27th

View current advisories

Harmful algal bloom being monitored at Vancouver Lake

There are no current bloom advisories, toxin samples show values below recreational guidance. Cyanotoxin results can be viewed at the Washington State Toxic Algae website. Public Health staff will continue monitoring the bloom weekly until it dissipates.

Avoid areas of algae and scum while recreating.

Want to know how E.coli gets in the water?

Check out our website! We have worked to include information on what you can do to help improve our lake water quality.

Swim Beach FAQ

Water Safety

Drowning is a serious concern, especially for children and teenagers. Here are some practices and steps you can take to stay safe:

Learn how to swim and never swim alone
Watch swimmers while you are near the water and make sure a responsible adult who can swim is always watching
Make sure to use U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets with children and adults who are not strong swimmers
Learn CPR and first aid
Pay attention to and obey posted signs, know the setting and be aware of strong currents or other potential hazards, and never dive off bridges and cliffs

Below are some resources from Clark County, the CDC, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture for more information:

Clark County Swimming Information

CDC Healthy Swimming

Hazards of Different Bodies of Water

For more resources, previous newsletters, and other information about our beach/lake monitoring, visit our website FAQ page.

Visit our website

Clark County Public Health | clark.wa.gov/public-health

1601 E. Fourth Plain Blvd, Building 17

Vancouver, WA 98661