A Blue-Green Algae advisory is in effect for Buck Lake. Algae blooms have been spotted on regions of the lake located southwest of Drayton Valley. Residents living near the lake as well as visitors to the lake 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).
People who come into contact with visible blue-green algae or who drink 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.
As always, visitors and residents are reminded to never drink or cook with untreated water directly from any recreational body of water, including Buck 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.
Please note that the parts of Buck Lake where the blue-green algae bloom is NOT visible can still be used for recreational purposes, even while this advisory is in place. If you suspect a problem related to blue-green algae, or if you require further information, please call Health Link 811.
You can also find more information at www.ahs.ca/bga.
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