The waters of Lac La Biche are fighting a familiar foe this summer. Alberta Health Services announced Tuesday that Blue-Green Algae had been found on the lake. Residents and visitors are advised to avoid all contact with the blooms. If contact occurs, wash with tap water as soon as possible.
Do not swim or wade in the contaminated areas and consider limiting human consumption of whole fish and fish trimmings from this lake, as fish may store toxins in their liver. People can still safely consume fish fillets from the lake.
AHS says areas of Lac La Biche that the blue-green algae bloom is not visible can still be used for recreational purposes.
Blue-green algae is naturally occurring and often becomes visible when weather conditions are calm. Appearing like scum, grass clippings, fuzz or globs on the surface of the water, blue-green algae can be blue-green, greenish-brown, brown, and/or pinkish-red, and often smell musty or grassy.
