Is Lacamas Lake safe to swim?

As of July 20, 2026, Lacamas Lake in Clark County, Washington is not recommended for swimming. Satellite imagery measured 432,514 cells/mL of blue-green algae on July 6, 2026, above the 100,000 cells/mL advisory threshold. Rainfall over the past week totaled 0.0 in, which can wash bacteria and nutrients into the water.

How this read is built

Lacamas Lake is a lake in Clark County, Washington covering about 0.4 sq mi, the 108th-largest of the 112 lakes SwimZone monitors in Washington. Satellite imagery measured 432,514 cells/mL of blue-green algae on July 6, 2026, above the 100,000 cells/mL advisory threshold.

Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms are most common from midsummer into early fall, when the water is warm, calm, and rich in nutrients from runoff. They can produce toxins that make people sick and can be rapidly fatal to dogs, so skip water that looks green, scummy, or like spilled paint, and keep children and pets out of it.

Over 7 summers of satellite monitoring since 2020, Lacamas Lake has reached blue-green algae advisory levels in 7 of them, most recently in June 2026. This is a lake that blooms most summers. Its highest recorded reading was 1,385,042 cells/mL in September 2021.

Is it safe to swim in Lacamas Lake right now?

Lacamas Lake is not recommended for swimming today. Satellite imagery measured 432,514 cells/mL of blue-green algae on July 6, 2026, above the 100,000 cells/mL advisory threshold. Conditions can change quickly with wind, heat, and rain, so check the posted signs and look at the water before you get in.

Does Lacamas Lake have blue-green algae (cyanobacteria)?

Yes. Satellite monitoring measured 432,514 cells/mL of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) at Lacamas Lake on July 6, 2026, above the 100,000 cells/mL advisory level. Avoid swimming and keep children and pets out of the water.

Can dogs swim in Lacamas Lake?

No. Blue-green algae at Lacamas Lake is above the safe-contact threshold (432,514 cells/mL on July 6, 2026). Cyanobacteria toxins can be rapidly fatal to dogs, which swallow it while swimming and lick it from their fur. Keep dogs out of the water and away from any scum along the shore.

How often does Lacamas Lake have blue-green algae blooms?

Over 7 summers of satellite monitoring since 2020, Lacamas Lake has reached blue-green algae advisory levels in 7 of them, most recently in June 2026. This is a lake that blooms most summers. Its highest recorded reading was 1,385,042 cells/mL in September 2021.

How many Washington lakes and beaches are unsafe for swimming today?

Today, 18 Washington waters are above a safe-contact threshold and 9 more warrant caution, out of 1348 monitored waters SwimZone tracks in the state.

How is Lacamas Lake's water quality measured?

SwimZone builds this read from EPA CyAN satellite imagery for blue-green algae, official beach and fecal-bacteria advisories where a program monitors Lacamas Lake, and a recent-rainfall overlay, all refreshed daily. It was last updated July 20, 2026.