Planning on going swimming at Prior Lake in Thetis Lake Regional Park soon?
Don’t.
At least that’s the message from the Capital Regional District who have issued a press release saying that there is visible blue-green algae bloom at Prior Lake and that it could be toxic.
As a result, the CRD has issued an advisory notice warning visitors not to swim in the lake and that pets should be kept on a leash in order to prevent them from drinking or swimming in the lake.
RELATED: Blue-green algae bloom found at Thetis Lake, CRD says
READ: Toxic blue-green algae bloom prompts warning at Prior Lake
Both humans and animals are being asked to avoid swimming in Prior Lake until the advisory has been lifted.
When algae occurs it usually produces a visible blue-green sheen that appears as surface scum on the water. However, according to the CRD press release, not all blooms are easy to spot and toxins can still be present in the water even if a bloom is not clearly visible.
“Ingesting water containing these cyanotoxins may cause a range of symptoms, including headaches and abdominal pain in humans, and can lead to lethal liver damage in dogs,” the release said.”
Algae bloom at Thetis Lake Regional Park is not uncommon. The Capital Regional District often issues algae bloom advisories. The CRD issued a warning about algae bloom at Elk Lake back in April.
For more information visit www.crd.bc.ca/alerts.
ALSO READ: Beaver Lake closed to swimming after algae bloom detected
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