Blue-green algae
The lake at Blue Lake Regional Park appears to have blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) bloom. Please avoid contact with the water at the lake. Access to the lake is restricted until further notice. Contact with high concentrations of cyanobacteria can cause illness. Skin contact with blue-green algae during swimming, wading, and fishing can lead to skin and eye irritation, nausea, stomach aches, and tingling in fingers and toes. Health and safety are Metro’s top priority.
Leeches reported
Visitors to Blue Lake Regional Park, as well as residents who live along Blue Lake, have reported finding leeches on their bodies after leaving the lake. Metro has notified state agencies about the sightings. Leeches occur naturally in Oregon.
Metro has placed signs in the reported areas. No reports so far have been made by visitors to the swim beach.
After spending time in areas where there may be leeches, do a full body check, similar to how you would check for ticks. If you find a leech on your body, do not panic. Do not try to pull the leech off or use salt to remove it. In most cases, removing leeches does not require a visit to a healthcare professional. If you need guidance on how to safely remove leeches and care for any wounds they have left, contact your healthcare provider for advice.
If you find a leech on your body, please let Metro know by calling 503-665-4995 or emailing [email protected].