By Caden Fanshaw

Algae

Local lakes continue to face blue-green algae blooms

Jul 6, 2023 | 5:19 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — The heat is back in Prince George and the algae blooms have already begun.

On Wednesday afternoon images of blue-green algae on the shores of West Lake circulated online. In recent years many local lakes have faced the wrath of blue-green algae including West Lake, Cluculz Lake, Bednesti Lake, Berman Lake, Norman Lake, and Tabor Lake among others.

“We get blooms of it in small lakes pretty regularly around the planet, in fact,” said Dr. John Davidson, a Professor in the UBC Department of Forest and Conservation Science. “In the springtime, all the little invertebrates are feeding on algae and those invertebrates eventually get fed on by fish. They’re eating the so-called good algae, which means that as they get depleted, and especially as it gets warmer, they’re eating more and more and more because it’s warmer. They’re leaving behind some blue-green algae, which means that they can all of a sudden obviously take off [as invertebrates get depleted].”

Davidson also noted lower oxygen levels due to warmer temperatures can also implicate potential algae blooms as fewer living organisms are able to process the nutrients. The expert pointed out while water pollution is often blamed for algae it is not the main driving factor.

Day of Mourning

"One fatality is too many:" National Day of Mourning to call for safer work conditions

14h ago

PORTLAND PREVIEW

Portland Winterhawks "excited" for series against Prince George Cougars

15h ago

Prisoner Turned Advocate

Former Prisoner Turned Advocate: Resident Fights for Disability Rights in Clothing

18h ago

Cyanobacteria can multiply a lot in the summer, which causes large growths called blooms. Cyanobacteria blooms can be blue-green, greenish-brown, or pinkish-red and can smell musty or grassy. Blooms often look like scum, streaks, or mats on the water surface or throughout the water.

Northern Health has issued a public warning about potential algae blooms this summer as they do pose a severe health risk for pets, and can be harmful for humans as well. Even just coming into contact with the algae can lead to symptoms.

If you have contact (like swimming) with water that has a cyanobacteria bloom, it can cause:

• skin irritation and rash
• sore throat
• sore, red eyes
• swelling of your lips
• hay fever symptoms, like stuffy nose

If you drink water with cyanobacteria, it can cause:

• headache
• diarrhea
• weakness
• liver damage
• fever (temperature over 38.5°C or 101.3°F)
• nausea and vomiting
• muscle and joint pain
• cramps in your abdomen (belly)

Treat all cyanobacteria blooms with caution. Call a health provider if you drink or have been in contact with water that has a cyanobacteria bloom and are having symptoms.

***

Twitter: @CadenFanshaw

Email: Caden.Fanshaw@pattisonmedia.com