Blue-green algae returns

By Adelle Ellis, Times Reporter

Lakes across the province, including Eagle Lake located near Strathmore, have been spotted bearing patches of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) bloom.
According to a media advisory issued by Alberta Health Services, Eagle Lake has an influx of blue-green algae bloom and residents living near the shores of the lake, as well as visitors to the lake, are advised to take several precautions.
Avoid all contact with the algae, do not swim in or near patches where the algae are present, do not eat or feed to your pets whole fish or fish trimmings – people can safely consume fish fillets – and wash off with tap water after using the lake.
Locals have also reported the blue-green algae is much thicker on the west and south sides of the lake compared to the east side.
“We haven’t actually seen it on this (east) side of the lake, just tiny, tiny pieces once or twice. Apparently on the other side of the lake it is pretty thick,” said Leslie Pringle, owner and operator of Eagle Lake RV Resort.
Pringle attributes the relatively low blue-green algae bloom present this year to storms, wind and rain at the exact right times to slow or halt bloom growth.
“I would say out of my 27 summers here, this was one of the very best years that we’ve had in terms of not having algae,” said Pringle. She added that once health advisories go out for the algae, lake usage typically decreases as people might not be aware the lake is safe to use in any spots that blue-green algae cannot be seen and is not present.
Rooted lake weeds are also prominently growing in the lake and some weed tops may be visible along the surface. Rooted lake weeds are not harmful and are different than the naturally-occurring blue-green algae which appears like scum, grass clippings, fuzz or globs on the surface of the water in blue-green, greenish-brown, brown or pinkish-red tones, and often smell musty or grassy.
“Often people confuse lake weeds with algae not knowing that those are two completely separate things” said Pringle.
“Fishing has still been good. We’ve had a number of people out there catching and releasing great big pike and enjoying themselves that way,” she added.
Pringle also compared the low algae presence this year compared to 2017 which had several days of thick algae in July, and to 2016 when “we had about two-and-a-half weeks where you could have walked across the lake, the algae was so thick.”
People who come in contact with visible blue-green algae or who ingest water containing blue-green algae may experience skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea and vomiting, or diarrhea.
For more information on blue-green algae visit ahs.ca/bga or contact Health Link at 811.