ST. PAUL - A blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) bloom has been identified at another area lake within the County of St. Paul.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) released an advisory on Friday, July 23, stating blue-green algae had been seen on areas of Floating Stone Lake. The lake is located west of Ashmont, and north of Hwy 28.
Residents living near the shores of this lake, as well as visitors to this lake, are advised to take precautions, such as avoiding all contact with the algae blooms, and washing off with tap water if you do come in contact with the algae blooms.
It is advised to stay away from the algae blooms, and also to keep pets away from areas where blooms are visible.
"Do not feed whole fish or fish trimmings from this lake to your pets," according to the AHS advisory, and consider limiting human consumption of whole fish and fish trimmings from the lake.
"As always, visitors and residents are reminded to never drink or cook with untreated water directly from any recreational body of water, including Floating Stone 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," according to AHS.
Blue-green algae is naturally occurring, and often becomes visible when weather conditions are calm. It appears like scum, grass clippings, fuzz or globs on the surface of water.
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 Floating Stone Lake until further notice.
Areas of the lake where algae is not visible can still be used for recreational purposes, even while the advisory is in place.
A number of other area lakes within the County of St. Paul have active blue-green algae advisories, including Stoney Lake, Lower and Upper Mann lakes, Vincent Lake, Lower Thérien Lake. Lac La Biche and Moose Lake also have advisories.
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, at www.ahs.ca/bga.
