As summer temperatures rise, the threat of blue-green algae blooms looms over the lakes of southern Saskatchewan.
Sean Osmar, a spokesperson for the Water Security Agency, explained that the potential for the blooms appears alongside the arrival of summer temperatures.
“The temperatures start rising in the summer,” he stated. “So, around now we would start seeing early indications if not some blooms already forming.”
While these blooms are typically found in southern Saskatchewan, they can be seen in a number of lakes depending on the conditions.
He added that these blooms can have serious consequences for both humans and animals, such as various health issues.
“Definitely don't drink the water and don't go swimming in it,” he stated. “It can cause skin irritations and rashes, and if you happen to drink it, it could make you sick with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. For pets and livestock, it can be far more serious. It can cause death.”
Osmar added that it is important to keep dogs and livestock out of the water if blooms are present and use a different water source if a bloom is seen in a dugout until it has cleared.
The naturally occurring blooms are prominent in southern Saskatchewan for a number of reasons.
“Saskatchewan has very nutrient-rich soil, which leads to nutrient-rich water, where the bacteria live and thrive,” Osmar elaborated. “We get rising temperatures in the summer, which sort of leads to that incubator effect where the blooms will start to grow. If we see wind action and rain, it helps dissipate and reduce the risk of the bloom performing, but they’re naturally occurring.”
Osmar advises people to remain vigilant when engaging in water-related activities and to be aware of the possibility of encountering blue-green algae blooms.
“We recommend people keep an eye out for them this time of year when you're out, if you're out on the lake, you're fishing or boating or whatever, be aware of the possibility of them know what to do if you see one to avoid them. And again, keep your livestock and pets away.”
He added the best practice to keep yourself and animals safe is to avoid it altogether.
“There's not much you can do again other than just avoid it,” he stated.
Additionally, Osmar highlighted the Healthy Beaches program offered by Saskatchewan Health, where individuals can report sightings of blue-green algae blooms.
Reporting these incidents helps gather valuable data for monitoring purposes. You can find the program, here.