While it’s not exactly swimming season, the Capital Regional District is letting visitors know that the blue-green algae alert at Thetis Lake has been lifted.
The alert, which is posted when the toxic algae is detected at unsafe levels, was first issued in fall 2023 for Thetis.
The alert was lifted on Thursday after testing and consultation with Island Health confirmed that the amount of blue-green algae was back to safe levels.
Meanwhile, a blue-green algae alert at Elk Lake and Beaver Lake still remains in effect, months after it was first posted on Oct. 16.
People are advised not to swim in the lakes, and to keep animals on a leash to prevent them from swimming or drinking from the water.
Blue-green algae blooms are usually visible as a blue and green sheen on the surface of the water. However, blooms are not always visible to the naked eye and people should still avoid entering the lakes until the alert has been lifted.
Blue-green algae can cause symptoms in humans, such as headaches and abdominal pains, or cause lethal liver damage in dogs, according to the CRD.
SEE ALSO: B.C. launches website to help people identify algae blooms in lakes
Adam Chan
