News Flash Home
The original item was published from 7/21/2022 12:02:03 PM to 8/2/2022 8:38:50 AM.

News Flash

County of Wetaskiwin News

Posted on: July 21, 2022

[ARCHIVED] Blue-Green Algae (Cyanobacteria) Bloom Advisory

Blue Green Algae Advisory

Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) bloom advisory issued for lakes within the County of Wetaskiwin. 

A blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) bloom has been identified in areas of Buck Lake (Calhoun Bay PRA and Buck Lake Campground), Pigeon Lake (Zeiner Park Beach), and Wizard Lake. Residents living near the shores of these lakes, as well as visitors to the lakes, are advised to take the following precautions:

  • Avoid all contact with blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms. If contact occurs, wash with tap water as soon as possible.
  • Do not swim or wade (or allow your pets to swim or wade) in any areas where blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) is visible.
  • Do not feed whole fish or fish trimmings from this lake to your pets.
  • Consider limiting human consumption of whole fish and fish trimmings from this lake, as it is known that fish may store toxins in their liver. (People can safely consume fish fillets from this lake).

As always, visitors and residents are reminded to never drink or cook with untreated water directly from any recreational body of water at any time. Boiling of this water will not remove the toxins produced by blue-green algae. An alternate source of drinking water should also be provided for pets and livestock while this advisory is active.

Blue-green algae is naturally occurring and often becomes visible when weather conditions are calm. Appearing like scum, grass clippings, fuzz or globs on the surface of water, blue-green algae can be blue-green, greenish-brown, brown, and/or pinkish-red, and often smells musty or grassy.

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 and/or diarrhea. Symptoms usually appear within one to three hours and resolve in one to two days. Symptoms in children are often more pronounced; however, all humans are at risk of these symptoms.

Weather and wind conditions can cause algae blooms to move from one location in the lake to another. Due to this, the advisory will remain in effect until further notice.

Please note that areas of the Lakes in which the blue-green algae bloom is NOT visible can still be used for recreational purposes, even while this blue-green algae Health Advisory is in place.

If you suspect a problem related to blue-green algae, or if you require further information on health concerns and blue-green algae, please call Health Link at 811. Additional information is also available online.

For the most up-to-date information visit AHS
Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in County of Wetaskiwin News

Understanding Dementia and Alzheimer Disease

FCSS - Understanding Dementia & Alzheimer Disease

Posted on: May 8, 2025 | Last Modified on: April 28, 2025
Seniors Day

FCSS - Seniors Day in Breton

Posted on: April 23, 2025
Babysitting

FCSS - Babysitting Course

Posted on: May 6, 2025
Home Alone

FCSS - Home Alone Course

Posted on: May 5, 2025
Emergency Preparedness

FCSS - Emergency Preparedness

Posted on: April 8, 2025
ADHD

FCSS - Erasing the Stigma of ADHD

Posted on: April 9, 2025
Psychological First Aid Ad

FCSS - Psychological First Aid

Posted on: March 31, 2025
Program Guide News Flash

FCSS - Community Program Guide

Posted on: March 7, 2025
7

Weed Workshop

Posted on: March 21, 2025
News Flash

10 TONNE RESTRICTION - BRIDGE FILE 00168

Posted on: October 31, 2024
Assessment - Rotational Inspections

Assessment: Rotational Inspection Areas

Posted on: October 16, 2024