The poisonous blue-green algae blooms that inhabit our lakes are back with a vengeance this year.
On Friday the Capital Region District (CRD) put out an advisory in consultation with Island Health that Lower Thetis Lake has a blue-green algae bloom.
These algae are known to produce dangerous toxins.
Humans ingesting water containing these cyanotoxins may cause a range of symptoms including headaches and abdominal pain.
In dogs, infected water can lead to lethal liver damage.
Visitors to Thetis Lake Regional Park are advised to avoid swimming, paddleboarding and all other water activities at Lower Thetis Lake
Pet owners are also advised to keep animals on a leash to prevent them from drinking or swimming in the lake until the advisory has been lifted by the CRD.
These algae blooms are unpredictable and may happen any time of year.
They are also often difficult to recognize for the untrained eye. These blooms usually produce a visible blue-green sheen, which appears as surface scum on the water.
Healthlink BC and the CRD have more information on their websites about algae blooms.
There is also currently a blue-green algae alert active for Prior Lake in the same park. Prior lake’s advisory was first issued on May 26th and is still present today.
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