UPDATED: Corrections to current data.)

These pictures are the condition of Spanaway Lake four weeks after the second EutroSORB G application this year to prevent Spanaway Lake’s annually recurring harmful cyanobacteria blooms, September 9, 2025.

The Health Department closed the lake on August 20, 2024. https://tpchd.org/news/spanaway-lake-closed-because-of-toxic-algae/ In 2025, the lake has only been under an advisory. https://tpchd.org/environment/surface-water/advisories/

Comments from Don Russell: It should be obvious to all unbiased observers of the behavior of Spanaway Lake that a pending harmful cyanobacteria bloom is in progress.  The water may appear somewhat clear but close examination will reveal the telltale signs of high concentrations of suspended Microcystis colonies in the water column and surface accumulation of streaks and some scum composed of accumulation of Microcystis colonies.

So this year is shaping up to be a repeat of last year’s failure of the Herrera drafted, Ecology and LMD CAB member approved, AquaTechnex applied Spanaway Lake Cyanobacteria Management Plan to prevent Spanaway Lake’s annually recurring harmful cyanobacteria blooms.  This is a situation that I predicted two years ago.  See attached. 

A public health concern should not only be sent to the public about Spanaway Lake’s impaired cyanotoxin water quality condition, so too would it be prudent to notify Spanaway public golf course users, since they will also be exposed to inhalation of irrigation water cyanotoxin laden aerosol spray droplets and dry dust.

It would be desirable for the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and the State Department of Health to examine the possibility that cyanobacteria toxin in golf course irrigation water (and in our domestic groundwater) source(s) is a likely and unsuspected public health risk exposure to us citizens.

From the Spanaway Lake Management District: People and pets should avoid areas of the lake with visible algae.

On July 23, Tacoma Pierce County Health Department issued a toxic algae caution advisory for Spanaway Lake. You should avoid areas of the lake where you see algae because they can pose health concerns. You’ll see signs posted at the lake to let you know about the advisory.

When you see algae, don’t swim, wade, waterski, or fish. Keep in mind as wind direction changes, the algae could move elsewhere in the lake. When in doubt, stay out! Read more in the news release.

Next Lake management meeting: October 14.

Meetings are held at the Tacoma Mall Office Plaza (2702 S 42^nd Street, Tacoma, WAY 98409) from 5-7pm with a link provided for virtual attendance. 

Lake Studies and Planning

• Cyanobacteria Management Plan for Spanaway Lake, 2023. Prepared for Pierce County by Herrera Environmental Consultants, Inc. 
• Water Quality Assessment of Select Lakes in Washington State, 1998. Prepared by the WA State Department of Ecology.
• Spanaway Lake Integrated Aquatic Vegetation Management Plan, 2020. Prepared for Pierce County and the Friends of Spanaway Lake by AquaTechnex
• Spanaway Lake Phosphorus Management Program, 2020. Prepared for Friends of Spanaway Lake by AquaTechnex. 
• Video: Spanaway Lake 2021 Phosphorus Monitoring Project. Presented to Friends of Spanaway Lake by Herrera Environmental Consultants
• Historical Prevalence of Cyanobacteria in Spanaway Lake, 2022. Prepared by WA State Department of Ecology’s Environmental Assessment Program.
• Monitoring Harmful Algal Blooms using Fluorometric Sensors, 2022. Prepared by WA State Department of Ecology’s Environmental Assessment Program. 
• Prevalence and Persistence of Cyanotoxins in Spanaway Lake, 2023. Prepared by Hobbs, W.O., WA State Department of Ecology. 
• Investigation of Phosphorus in Spanaway Lake, 2019. Conference poster prepared for the Chambers-Clover Creek Watershed Issues Forum by Dr. Shuhui Dun (and others) from Pierce County SWM.
  1. Abstract – Summary of poster findings.