Rufus Woods Lake Among Washington Bodies of Water with Toxic Algae

Visitors to Rufus Woods Lake east of Bridgeport will want to avoid the water, particularly with their pets.

The Washington State Department of Ecology says the lake is among a handful that have extensive amounts of toxic algae that's been detected.

While it’s safe to eat properly cleaned and gutted fish, water should not be consumed and steps should be taken to keep livestock and pets away from the water.

The toxin of concern is anatoxin-a, a nerve toxin produced by some blue-green algae blooms found in water bodies throughout the state.