Eagle Lake east of Calgary affected by toxic blue-green algae bloom

Ablue-green algae bloom advisory has been issued by Alberta Health Servicesfor Eagle Lake, located east of Calgary.

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The lake near Strathmore has had a number of similar advisories over the past few years.

The advisory states:

• Avoid all contactwith 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 notfeed whole fish or fish trimmings from this lake to your pets.
• Consider limiting human consumption of whole fish and fish trimmings from this lake because it is known that fish may store toxins in their liver. (People can safely consumefish fillets from this lake.)

AHS says boiling the water does not remove the toxins and an alternate source of drinking water should be provided for pets and livestock.

"Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) is naturally occurring, and often become visible when weather conditions are calm.Appearing like scum, grass clippings, fuzz or globs on the surface of water, blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) can be blue-green, greenish-brown, brown, and/or pinkish-red, and often smell musty or grassy," states the release.

It also says areas of the lake wherethe algae bloom is not visible can still be used for recreation purposes.

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