Blue-green algae bloom advisory issued for Little Manitou Lake

A blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) bloom has been identified in areas of Little Manitou Lake. Residents living near the shores of this lake, as well as visitors to this lake, are advised to take the following precautions:

• Avoid all contact with blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms. If contact occurs, wash with tap water as soon as possible.
• Do not swim or wade (or allow your pets to swim or wade) in any areas where blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) is visible.

As always, visitors and residents are reminded to never drink or cook with untreated water directly from any recreational body of water, including Little Manitou Lake, at any time. Boiling of this water will not remove the toxins produced by blue-green algae. 

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 water, blue-green algae can be blue-green, greenish-brown, brown, and/or pinkish-red, and often smell musty or grassy.

People who come in contact with visible blue-green algae or who ingest water containing blue-green algae may experience skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea and vomiting and/or diarrhea. Symptoms usually appear within one to three hours and resolve in one to two days. Symptoms in children are often more pronounced; however, all humans are at risk of these symptoms.

Weather and wind conditions can cause algae blooms to move from one location in the lake to another. As such, this advisory will remain in effect for Little Manitou Lake, until further notice.

If you suspect a problem related to blue-green algae or if you require further information on health concerns and blue-green algae, please call Health Line at 811. For more information on public beaches in Saskatchewan, please refer to the Healthy Beach Program updates.