Beaches, Lakes & Rivers

Lake & Beach Water Quality

Planning to swim, boat, fish or enjoy other water activities? While Northeast Tri County Health District does not regulate lake and river water quality, we do notify an educate the public with advisories when conditions due to toxic algae blooms or bacteria are present and may be unsafe.

In the tri county area the most common conditions found in our bodies of water are swimmers itch (PDF) and toxic algae blooms.

Fish Consumption Advisories

Northeastern Washington provides some of the best fishing opportunities around. You will find more than 30 fish species in our lakes and rivers including:

  • Kokanee
  • Largemouth and smallmouth bass
  • Perch
  • Rainbow trout
  • Walleye

Washington State Department of Health identifies that fish is good for you and part of a healthy diet, but understanding the health benefits of fish along with concerns over contamination can be confusing. Resources below provide advice about eating fish from specific waterbodies when chemicals found in certain fish species may harm your health.