COLD LAKE - A blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) bloom has been identified in areas of Cold Lake and an advisory is in place, as of Aug. 6.
Residents living near the shores of this lake, as well as visitors to this lake, are advised to take precautions when visiting the lake, such as avoiding all contact with blue-green algae, not swimming in areas where algae is visible, and not feeding whole fish or fish trimmings from the lake to 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," according to Alberta Health Services.
"As always, visitors and residents are reminded to never drink or cook with untreated water directly from any recreational body of water, including Cold Lake, 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," reads the advisory.
Blue-green algae is naturally occurring, and usually becomes noticeable when weather conditions are calm.
The algae appears 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 smell 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," according to the advisory.
Weather and wind conditions can cause algae blooms to move from one location in the lake to another, so the advisory will remain in effect for Cold Lake until further notice.
