Clark County Public Health issues warning on water safety
May 22-As Clark County residents gear up for summer, officials warn that lakes and rivers pose significant dangers to swimmers and boaters.
Even as temperatures outside get warmer, local lakes and rivers are still cold enough to shock even the strongest swimmer and may be moving quickly, according to a Wednesday news release from Clark County Public Health.
"When a swimmer's body hits the cold water, it can trigger a sudden, rapid increase in breathing, heart rate and blood pressure," according to Public Health. "The uncontrolled breathing can cause people to gasp and inhale water, leading to potential drowning."
The agency warns swimmers not to dive into shallow water or jump off bridges or cliffs. Public Health also cautions against using alcohol and marijuana when swimming or boating.
Officials urge people of all ages to wear a life jacket and to swim only in designated swimming areas. By law, children 12 years and younger must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket or vest on all vessels 18 feet or smaller.
Children should be supervised by adults anytime they are in or around water. Supervision requires complete attention, even if another adult is present.
Officials also encourage residents to check for water quality advisories before heading out to local lakes. Throughout the summer, Public Health monitors the water quality at the county's three designated swim beaches - Vancouver Lake, Klineline Pond and Battle Ground Lake.
Public Health issues advisories if bacteria levels exceed state thresholds and may pose a risk to people swimming or wading in the water. The agency also monitors other local bodies of water for harmful algal blooms that can pose a health risk to people and can be fatal to pets.
When Public Health issues water quality advisories, signs are posted at the site, and information about the advisories is posted on its website and social media.
Last year, from May to August, Clark County had three deaths with drowning listed as the cause of death and that involved natural bodies of water, according to data from the Clark County Medical Examiner's Office.
These numbers do not include deaths of Clark County residents that occurred in another county or state, or deaths that occurred in an area where another agency took jurisdiction.
This story was made possible by Community Funded Journalism, a project from The Columbian and the Local Media Foundation. Top donors include the Ed and Dollie Lynch Fund, Patricia, David and Jacob Nierenberg, Connie and Lee Kearney, Steve and Jan Oliva, The Cowlitz Tribal Foundation and the Mason E. Nolan Charitable Fund. The Columbian controls all content. For more information, visit columbian.com/cfj.
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This story was originally published May 22, 2026 at 5:55 PM.