Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae can grow in any type of  water, they are usually too small to see but can form visible colonies called an algal bloom.  Cyanobacterial blooms usually occur when organisms that are normally present grow exuberantly.  Blooms usually float to the surface and can be a couple inches thick, especially near the shoreline.  The algal blooms can grow at any time of year but are most common during summer and fall. 

Most of the toxic blooms can look like foam, scum, or mats on the surface of fresh water lakes or ponds.  The blooms can be blue, bright green, brown, or red and may look like paint floating on the water. Some blooms may not affect the appearance of the water.  As algae in a cyanobacterial bloom die, the water may smell bad. 

People and dogs can be exposed to this algae by drinking water that comes from a lake or resorvoir with cyanotoxins, drinking untreated water, engaging in recreational activities in water with cyanotoxins, and inhaling aerosols from water related activities such as boating.  If skin is exposed to it people and animals can develop a skin rash, hives, or blisters. If inhaled people may experience runny eyes and nose, a sore throat, asthma like symptoms or allergic reactions.  If the toxic water is swallowed it can cause acute, severe gastroenteritis, liver toxicity, kidney toxicity, and neurotoxicity which can occur 15 to 20 minutes after exposure. 

In dogs neurotoxicity may cause salivation, weakness, staggering, difficulty breathing, convulsions, and death.  In people it can cause numb lips, tingling fingers, and dizziness.  The best way to protect yourself, your family, and your pets is to not engage in any water activities where the water looks discolored, foamy, or there is algae on the water.  And if you or your pets do swim in contaminated water, rinse off with fresh water as soon as possible.  If you check the waters before swimming, boating, or allowing your pets to swim in them, you and your pets should be protected and healthy. 

Cyanobacteria algae may look like the below picture.

Information Source: http://www.cdc.gov/hab/cyanobacteria/facts.htm

To search for homes for sale in Anacortes, La Conner, or Oak Harbor, please call us @ (360)-293-4511.  We would love to help you with your real estate  needs whether you are looking to buy or sell your home.

Anacortes offers a lot of moorage for boats to lease by the month or year, transient overnight moorage, and also condo moorage which you can purchase.  These are also often called dockominiums.

In years past there have been long waiting lists for boat slips to purchase but we currently have several for sale.

Fidalgo Marina is considered to be one of the best marinas on the west coast and has excellent covered moorage, a full time harbormaster, a large fully equipped club house with a kitchen, sauna, hot tub, and library, laundry facilities, storage lockers, gated parking area, concrete docks, and large cash reserves.  We currently have a 50′ slip for sale which you can view by clicking here.

Anacortes Marina has covered and uncovered slips.  It has ample parking, laundry facilities, full time management staff, easy access to town, and we have a rare 80′, uncovered slip available for sale.  To learn more about this moorage for sale please click here.

Skyline Marina is located the closest to the Islands.  Skyline is a large marina with several divisions.  It has laundry facilities, lots of parking, and the marina area has a nice restaurant, store, fuel, and boat launch.  It is also home to several yacht charter companies.  Click here to see the 30′ uncovered slip for sale listed by Jack Dixon.

We also have several homes listed for sale with docks!  To see the Skyline home for sale with a dock listed by Cheryl Frazier, please click here.  To see the Shelter Bay home with a dock listed for sale by Karen Everett, please click here.

No matter what your real estate needs are, we have a real estate professional that can help you find the right property.  We are the waterfront experts in Anacortes, La Conner, Shelter Bay, and throughout Western Washington.   If you do not know which island you want to live on, we can help! 

If you are interested in more information you can contact any of the agents listed about at 360.293.4511.

The boating enthusiasts of Anacortes, gateway to the San Juan Islands, will soon have a new small boat hoist at the Cap Sante Marina.  A ribbon cutting ceremony on the P/Q dock is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday, April 9. 

The old pier has been replaced with a new 14-ft. wide concrete surface, a 2-ton crane and hoist system, and a hand railing along with piling and new staging floats.

 To learn more about the Anacortes marinas and boating facilities, or perhaps, a home with a dock, contact one of the experienced REALTORS at COLDWELL BANKER ISLAND LIVING in Anacortes.

You can reach us at  360-293-4511 or visit us at  3110 Commercial Ave.  Our real estate agents are available to help you  7 days a week.

Linda Harris

April 10 “quiet” ANACORTES will host the sailing world’s most prestigious prize, the America’s Cup trophy recently won by BMW’s  sailing yacht ORACLE in the 33^rd America’s Cup competition.

 This 19-ft. multi-hull boat was built by Core Builders in ANACORTES, and now the community is being invited to view the Cup and learn more about the race and the boat.

The viewing event is set for 8 p.m., Saturday, April 10 at the Port of Anacortes Transit Shed Event Center.  Guests will even be able to be photographed with the trophy.  The Event Center is located at 1^st and Commercial.

 For ANACORTES, a town that loves boating and the water, this is indeed a celebration!

AnacortesRealEstate@gmail.com

Cap Sante Boat Haven in Anacortes

This weekend in the  Anacortes Spring Boat Show !  The Anacortes Boat Show will take place from March 18 through 21 at Cap Sante Boat Haven.

What makes this show so special other than it is in our georgeous city?  The Anaocortes Boat Show is FREE!  Free parking and free admission!

The Anacortes show  will feature a variety of boats and exhibitors from the area.

Thursday, March 18 through Sunday, March 21. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Cap Sante Boat Haven, 1019 Q. Ave. in downtown Anacortes.  Last year’s Anacortes Spring Boat Show was a huge success!

Bob Hyde, Port of Anacortes Executive Director, will speak next Tues., Feb. 3, 10 a.m., at the Newcomers’ Plus meeting held at the Anacortes Public Library. 

Bob gave a presentation at the Jean Groesbeck & Associates Anacortes Real Estate Expo last Feb. to a standing room only crowd, and many of us have been wanting to hear more from Bob about the Port of Anacortes.  Anyone is welcome Tues., so we have a nice opportunity for an Anacortes update.

The Port of Anacortes operates the Anacortes Airport, Cap Sante Boat Haven, The Anacortes Marine Terminal, as well as many other facilities.  Having an active working waterfront makes Anacortes a unique waterfront community.

For more information on the Port of Anacortes visit http://www.portofanacortes.com

Fax:  (360) 293-6172

www.AnacortesHomesBlog.com

www.ColdwellBankerIslandLiving.com

There are approximately 80 boatyards in Western Washington of which 7 are in the North Puget Sound area.  The proposal applies to boatyards that serve vessels 65 feet or less in length.

For more information go to http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/permits/boatyard/index.html

www.AnacortesRealEstateBlog.com

www.AnacortesHomeTeam.com