Beach · Island County · WA
Is Scatchet Head / Cultus Bay safe to swim?
No advisory or algae bloom reported for this water today.
Updated July 19, 2026 · Washington beach program (EPA BEACON)
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What's in the water at Scatchet Head / Cultus Bay right now
As of July 19, 2026, Scatchet Head / Cultus Bay in Island County, Washington is clear to swim. Blue-green algae are not currently monitored at this water. No fecal-bacteria advisory is posted (state beach program). Rainfall over the past week totaled 0.8 in, which can wash bacteria and nutrients into the water.
Blue-green algae at Scatchet Head / Cultus Bay
Scatchet Head / Cultus Bay is a lake in Island County, Washington. Blue-green algae are not currently monitored at this water.
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.
Frequently asked: swimming in Scatchet Head / Cultus Bay
- Is it safe to swim in Scatchet Head / Cultus Bay right now?
- Scatchet Head / Cultus Bay is clear to swim today. Blue-green algae are not currently monitored at this water. Conditions can change quickly with wind, heat, and rain, so check the posted signs and look at the water before you get in.
- Does Scatchet Head / Cultus Bay have blue-green algae (cyanobacteria)?
- Blue-green algae are not currently monitored at Scatchet Head / Cultus Bay. Watch for green, blue-green, or paint-like scum and avoid the water if you see it.
- Can dogs swim in Scatchet Head / Cultus Bay?
- No bloom is detected at Scatchet Head / Cultus Bay today, but dogs are much more vulnerable to blue-green algae than people, and blooms can form within hours. Always keep dogs away from water that looks green, scummy, or discolored, and rinse them off after swimming.
- How many Washington lakes and beaches have swim advisories today?
- Today, 18 Washington waters are under a swim advisory and 9 more warrant caution, out of 1348 monitored waters SwimZone tracks in the state.
- How is Scatchet Head / Cultus Bay'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 Scatchet Head / Cultus Bay, and a recent-rainfall overlay, all refreshed daily. It was last updated July 19, 2026.