Residents urged to avoid parts of Lake Sundance due to toxic algae in water

The waters of Lake Sundance should be avoided due to the presence of a toxic blue-green algal bloom, Alberta Health Services said Thursday.

Cyanobacterial has been detected in the suburban lake in southeast Calgary and swimmers or waders should avoid any areas with algal blooms, said AHS.

The same applies to pets, who should also not be fed with any fish from the lake, said the agency.

Warmer weather gives rise to cyanobacterial whose blooms can appear as pink, blue-green, greenish-brown or scum, streaks, pea soup or fuzz balls and have a musty or grassy odour.

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“People who come in contact with a cyanobacterial bloom or who ingest water containing cyanobacteria may experience skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea and vomiting and/or diarrhea,” AHS said in a press release.

People should refrain from consuming whole fish or their trimmings taken from the lake and should not drink or cook from its water, said AHS.

Boiling the water will not remove its toxins, said the health authority.

Water that doesn’t visibly contain blooms can be entered but lake conditions can shift, they added.

“Weather and wind conditions can cause cyanobacterial blooms to move from one location in the lake to another,” said AHS.

“As such, this advisory will remain in effect for Lake Sundance until further notice.”

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