Latest news with #NicolaLake
CBC
2 days ago
- CBC
Nicola Lake algae bloom raises public safety concerns
At least one dog has died after swimming in Nicola Lake near Merritt, B.C. due to a toxic algae bloom on the lake. Homeowners, campers and lake users are concerned that not enough is being done to warn the public. Shelley Joyce reports.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Nicola Lake algae bloom raises public safety concerns
At least one dog has died after swimming in Nicola Lake near Merritt, B.C. due to a toxic algae bloom on the lake. Homeowners, campers and lake users are concerned that not enough is being done to warn the public. Shelley Joyce reports.
CTV News
7 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Death of at least one dog prompts warning about toxic algae in B.C. lake
A veterinary clinic in the B.C. Interior shared this image of blue green algae after a dog died from suspected exposure in July of 2025. (Credit: Facebook/kelownablackmountainvet) The B.C. SPCA is out with a warning for pet owners after 'at least one' dog's death and multiple canine illnesses linked to toxic blue-green algae in a lake in B.C.'s Interior. The animal welfare organization posted an alert to social media Wednesday saying one fatality has been confirmed this month in a pet that came into contact with toxic cyanobacteria, in Nicola Lake. 'These harmful algae blooms can produce toxins that are extremely dangerous to pets. Even a quick swim or lick of contaminated water can cause serious illness,' the B.C. SPCA's post said. 'Before letting your dog swim or drink from lakes, ponds, or streams, check for posted advisories and avoid any water that looks discoloured, scummy, or has a strange smell.' An alert from the province's chief veterinarian also notes there have been two suspected cases of poisoning reported this July in pets after swimming in Nicola Lake. The potentially deadly blooms are most common in stagnant freshwater bodies like lakes and ponds. However, they can also develop in faster-moving rivers and streams, and sometimes in places like fountains or birdbaths, according to the alert. Signs cyanobacteria may be present include: 'discoloured water, ranging from green, to blue, red, purple or brown; unusual water surface textures that resemble paint or streaks, pea-soup, foam, scum, grass clippings, clumps or mats; and the presence of dead wild birds or fish.' But the notice also notes the blooms are not always visible and the presence of toxins can't always be determined just by looking at the water. 'Blooms are not always obvious, and you can't tell whether a bloom is toxic by looking at it. If you suspect there is a bloom you should assume toxins may be present,' the advisory continues. 'Toxins can also persist after a bloom has dissipated or moved, so if there has been a recent bloom in the area, you should use caution before entering the water, even if the bloom is no longer visible.' The blooms are also toxic to humans, but pets are particularly vulnerable to serious illness and fatal poisoning due to the amount of water they ingest while swimming or playing. BC Parks has an advisory posted for Nicola Lake, saying 'a number' of algae blooms have been reported, and urging people to keep their pets out of the water. More information on the toxic algae and is available online.
CBC
08-07-2025
- Health
- CBC
B.C. pet owner warns of blue-green algae dangers following dog's death
"It was kind of like any other day." Kristin Awde's 15-year-old daughter and their young dog were playing in the yard on a sunny June day while Awde cleaned the windows on their summer home at Nicola Lake. Their dog, an English springer spaniel named Romie, wandered down to the lake — not unusual for the pup, who'd been in the lake the day before. But when he emerged, his belly and mouth were covered in green slime. "He looked disoriented and unwell and started vomiting," Awde told CBC's Radio West. She and her daughter tried to clean Romie off, but when he lost consciousness, they got in the car and raced him to the vet for emergency care. Romie died on the veterinarian's examination table, about 45 minutes after he'd entered the water, Awde said. Now, she is warning others of the dangers algae pose for both pets and humans, and is working with her community to ensure there is some sort of oversight of the lake to make sure people know when it's unsafe to swim. B.C. Parks and the Upper Nicola Band have issued warnings about the algae bloom in Nicola Lake, discouraging swimming and drinking lake water. Interior Health Medical Health Officer Dr. Andy Delli Pizzi said in an email to CBC News that a sign is posted at the campgrounds and day use area at Monck Provincial Parks due to the history and risk associated with toxic algae blooms. The Upper Nicola Band said in a July 1 Facebook post it is monitoring the lake. "The water is sick and needs some time to heal," the band said. "Please continue to say prayers for the water as we continue to collect data to narrow in on mitigation measures to help the water." The appearance of blooms of blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, can vary, and in some cases, they aren't even blue-green in colour. Signs of blooms include a musty or earthy odour coming from the water and dead wildlife near the shores. Blue-green algae multiplies quickly in warmer months and produces toxins that are poisonous to people and animals, according to Interior Health. The health authority said boiling water does not remove the toxins, so if you get your water from a source contaminated with blue-green algae, it's best to find an alternate drinking source. Symptoms from blue-green algae include headaches, nausea, fever, sore throat, dizziness, stomach cramping, vomiting, muscle aches, mouth ulcers and rashes. Anyone who becomes unwell after contact with water that may be contaminated with blue-green algae is advised to seek immediate medical or veterinary advice. Accountability Awde said the Nicola Lake community gathered together Monday to discuss the algae bloom and how to prevent further illness and death. She said the hope was that a detection system could be in place, and in the event a toxic bloom was discovered, some sort of mass communication could be shared with the community. "A Facebook post can only go so far," Awde said. She said they'd like to know someone is responsible for preventing and managing algae blooms. "Right now, that seems to be not being managed properly by any government agency," Awde said. "We're at a bit of a loss to try to figure out how we can lobby for something like this to get into place."
CTV News
30-06-2025
- CTV News
Impaired driving crash sparks wildfire near Merritt, B.C.
An RCMP cruiser is pictured with the logo painted on the side. (Source: Facebook) A driver has been suspended for three months for impaired driving after a car crashed into a ditch and caused a small wildfire in Merritt, B.C. Mounties were called to a crash on Highway 5A at the north point of Nicola Lake on Sunday amid reports a vehicle had caught fire and flames were spreading to the bush near the road, Merritt RCMP said in a statement Monday. According to police, a witness said the driver had been swerving to avoid a fox on the road. Suspecting the driver had been behind the wheel while impaired, the attending officer attempted to conduct a breathalyzer test. The driver refused and was slapped with a 90-day driving ban and the impoundment of their vehicle for 30 days. The driver is not being investigated for the ignition of the wildfire at this time, police said. 'The Merritt RCMP continues to remind the public about and enforce impaired driving,' said Const. Blake Chursinoff. 'There is zero leniency with driving while impaired. We are grateful for our partners with (the B.C. Wildfire Service) for their swift action in containing the blaze and the public who stayed on scene and were able to provide key information to the officers for their investigation.'
