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Algae Blooms

AHS issues blue-green algae advisory for Moonshine Lake

Jul 12, 2024 | 6:00 AM

Alberta Health Services has issued a blue-green algae advisory for Moonshine Lake.

Anyone visiting or living near Moonshine Lake is reminded to avoid swimming in all areas blooms are visible, and to never feed any fish or trimmings from the lake to pets, as it could be lethal.

AHS also reminds residents to never consume water from the lake, even if it is boiled, as heat does not remove the toxins produced by blue-green algae.

Anyone exposed to blue-green algae may experience a long list of side effects like skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea and vomiting and/or diarrhea.

These symptoms usually appear within one to three hours after contact and are resolved in one to two days.

Weather and wind conditions can cause these algae blooms to move around the lake, so this advisory will stay in place until further notice.

However, AHS says “that the waters of Moonshine Lake in which the bloom is not visible can still be used for recreational purposes, even while this Health Advisory is in place.”

Anyone who suspects a health issue related to blue-green algae is asked to contact Healthlink at 811.