Blue-green algae warning issued for Pigeon Lake

CTV News

a day ago

Signs have been posted around Pigeon Lake, south west of Edmonton, warning residents and visitors to avoid the water, due to a blue-green algae advisory. Monday, July 30.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) has issued a blue-green algae advisory for Pigeon Lake.
Exposure to blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, can cause skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea. It can be fatal to pets.
AHS says that visitors should avoid all contact with blue-green algae blooms and to wash with tap water as soon as contact occurs.
It is advised not to swim or wade or to allow pets to do so in areas where blue-green algae is visible.
While it is recommended to limit human consumption of whole fish or fish trimmings from the lake, filets are still safe.
Do not feed whole fish, fish filets or fish trimmings from the lake to pets.
Blue-green algae is naturally occurring and can often look like scum, grass clippings, fuzz or globs on the surface of water. It can be blue-green, greenish-brown, brown and/or pinkish-red, and often smell musty or grassy.
Waters of Pigeon Lake can still be used for recreational purposes where blue-green algae blooms are not visible.
Pigeon Lake is located about 70 kilometres southwest of Edmonton.