As the summer sun beats down on us, it is also the perfect conditions for harmful blue-green algae in our local waterways.
Blue-green algae is a naturally occurring bacteria that is present particularly in lakes and reservoirs. Buffalo Pound Lake has been known to have blue-green algae in the past.
The blooms thrive under the summer heat and can give the water a shimmering, foamy, and pea soup-like appearance.
Blue-green algae can be identified by its blue-green, bright blue, grey, or tan colour and can form quickly in the heat.
“In our province, you can have one weather system, and then 15 minutes later, down the road, you’ll have a different one. It's really hard to say where those exactly are, but we know there’s some areas that can be prone to them based on weather conditions,” said Patrick Boyle with the Water Security Agency.
Boyle explained how long the algae can last in a body of water before it dissipates.
“Usually, it takes up to about three weeks for them to be pushed around the reservoir and dissipate. It can be sooner, it just depends on really those weather conditions and what area you’re in,” he said.
If you see or believe you see blue-green algae in a body of water, avoid direct contact with the bloom. Also, avoid swimming in the algae or eating fish caught in a lake with blue-green algae.
Direct contact and unintended consumption can cause red skin, a sore throat, cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If one does come into contact with blue-green algae, they should wash the infected area with top water as soon as possible.
When it comes to animals such as dogs and cattle who may want to swim or drink from the water, the consequences could be fatal if they are exposed to blue-green algae.
“For animals, it can be toxic to pets if they’re in that area and you will want to them avoid those areas. If you have your dog out by one of those bodies of water and they are trying to go in there, you generally want to keep them away from those areas,” Boyle said.
You can find more information about public beaches in Saskatchewan and which areas may be experiencing blue-green algae by visiting the Health Beaches Program website.
Those with health-related questions about blue-green algae can contact the Saskatchewan Health Authority environmental health office.