If you're heading to Pigeon Lake, you may want to avoid swimming, as harmful blue-green algae have been found in the water.
Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) has been identified in Pigeon Lake, located between Leduc County and the County of Wetaskiwin.
Visitors are advised to take the following precautions:
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Avoid all contact with cyanobacterial blooms. If contact occurs, wash with tap water as soon as possible.
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Do not swim or wade — and do not allow pets to swim or wade — in areas where cyanobacteria is visible.
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Do not feed whole fish or fish trimmings from this lake to pets.
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Limit human consumption of whole fish and trimmings, as fish may store toxins in their liver. Fish fillets are considered safe to eat.
Visitors and residents are also reminded never to drink or cook with untreated water from any recreational body of water, including Pigeon Lake. Boiling the water will not remove the toxins. An alternate water source should be provided for pets and livestock while the advisory is in effect.
Cyanobacteria is naturally occurring and becomes more visible during calm weather. It may look like scum, grass clippings, fuzz or globs on the water’s surface and can appear blue-green, greenish-brown, brown or pinkish-red. It often has a musty or grassy odour.
Exposure to visible cyanobacteria or ingesting affected water may cause skin irritation, rash, sore throat, red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Symptoms typically appear within one to three hours and resolve in one to two days. Children may be more affected, and pets may die from exposure.
Wind and weather can shift algae blooms around the lake, so this advisory will remain in effect until further notice.
Please note: areas of the lake without visible bloom can still be used for recreation.
If you suspect a problem related to cyanobacteria or need more information, call Health Link at 811.
Additional details are also available online at the AHS website.
** With information from Alberta Health Services.
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