Is Saddle Mountain Lake safe to swim?

As of July 20, 2026, Saddle Mountain Lake in Grant County, Washington is not recommended for swimming. Satellite imagery measured 259,766 cells/mL of blue-green algae on July 19, 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

Saddle Mountain Lake is a lake in Grant County, Washington covering about 0.9 sq mi, the 64th-largest of the 112 lakes SwimZone monitors in Washington. Satellite imagery measured 259,766 cells/mL of blue-green algae on July 19, 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, Saddle Mountain Lake has reached blue-green algae advisory levels in 7 of them, most recently in July 2026. This is a lake that blooms most summers. Its highest recorded reading was 931,071 cells/mL in August 2020.

Is it safe to swim in Saddle Mountain Lake right now?

Saddle Mountain Lake is not recommended for swimming today. Satellite imagery measured 259,766 cells/mL of blue-green algae on July 19, 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 Saddle Mountain Lake have blue-green algae (cyanobacteria)?

Yes. Satellite monitoring measured 259,766 cells/mL of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) at Saddle Mountain Lake on July 19, 2026, above the 100,000 cells/mL advisory level. Avoid swimming and keep children and pets out of the water.

Can dogs swim in Saddle Mountain Lake?

No. Blue-green algae at Saddle Mountain Lake is above the safe-contact threshold (259,766 cells/mL on July 19, 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 Saddle Mountain Lake have blue-green algae blooms?

Over 7 summers of satellite monitoring since 2020, Saddle Mountain Lake has reached blue-green algae advisory levels in 7 of them, most recently in July 2026. This is a lake that blooms most summers. Its highest recorded reading was 931,071 cells/mL in August 2020.

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 Saddle Mountain 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 Saddle Mountain Lake, and a recent-rainfall overlay, all refreshed daily. It was last updated July 20, 2026.