Blue-green algae bloom advisory issued for Wabamun Lake
Blue-green algae is naturally occurring and often appears as scum, grass clippings, fuzz or globs on the surface of the water
Article content
Alberta Health Services has issued a blue-green algae bloom advisory for Lake Wabamun, west of Edmonton.
AHS says those visiting the lake should avoid all contact with algae blooms, including swimming and wading. It also advises against humans or pets eating fish or fish trimmings from the lake.
Visitors are also reminded that boiling the lake water will not remove the toxins produced by blue-green algae.
Blue-green algae is naturally occurring and often appears as scum, grass clippings, fuzz or globs on the surface of the water.
Those that come in contact with or ingest visible blue-green algae can experience skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea and vomiting or diarrhea.
Symptoms are more pronounced in children and usually appear within one to three hours.
AHS says because weather and wind conditions can cause algae blooms to move from one location in the lake to another, the advisory will remain in effect until further notice.
It notes areas of the lake where blue-green algae bloom is not visible can still be used even as the advisory remains in place.
Wabamun Lake is one of the province’s busiest lakes and is located about 65 kilometres west of Edmonton.
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.