Cautionary Notification of Algae Bloom
By Barbra Fairclough
Algae bloom in Sunnybrae (Photo credit Barbra Fairclough)
Interior Health has issued a Cautionary notification of an algae bloom for Shuswap Lake - Salmon Arm and Sunnybrae Tappen - effective June 28.
A “Cautionary” cyanobacteria advisory issued by Interior Health indicates that algae is present and either no testing has been conducted or testing has not identified toxins.
A public update from the Shuswap Watershed Council on June 29 included a map showing the locations of the bloom. Advisement was given in the posting to avoid direct contact with the algal bloom and if contact has been made, rinse your body with clean water. Where the bloom is present people are recommended to avoid recreational activities such as swimming.
Interior Health recommends using an alternate source for drinking water if your source of water intake is in the body of water with the bloom. Boiling the water will not remove any toxins. Consider providing pets and livestock with an alternative source of drinking water.
Cyanobacteria sometimes referred to as blue green algae are naturally occurring microscopic bacteria that are common to freshwater ecosystems throughout BC.
They are called blue green because they share key features with Algae such as being aquatic organisms capable of photosynthesising.
In most circumstances cyanobacteria cause no apparent harm in water bodies. Depending on species and abundance their appearance is quite varied including multi colours from blue green, green, brown, red, white, and blue. They can look like pea soup to globular to bead like shapes.
Several species of cyanobacteria are capable of producing toxins, neurotoxins, and skin irritants. Not all cyanobacteria are toxic and sometimes toxic species do not always produce toxins. If you have concerns, contact your local health authority.
When in doubt Stay out!
Algae bloom in Sunnybrae (Photo credit Barbra Fairclough)
Erin Vierra of Fraser Basin Council posted algae blooms are complicated, many factors contribute to them but generally a new supply of nutrients during freshet (via the Salmon River) and increased sunlight are the key factors.
Shuswap Watershed Council is in contact with Interior Health, Columbia Shuswap Regional District, and the City of Salmon Arm and will post added information as it arises. They also support coordination of local authorities and organizations involved with the monitoring of water.
Water sample collecting is done by multiple organizations such as CSRD, City of Salmon Arm, First Nations Healthy Authority, Little Shuswap Band, District of Sicamous, as well as the province.
The province also invites the public to include their local knowledge on the Algae Watch web page. This is a gateway supporting resident’s ability to recognize and to identify and report algae blooms in BC Lakes.
You can learn here what algae is and how to recognize it. There are a few identification tools and resources and a photo gallery to help you know what it looks like.
On this web page is a link to the Observation map. This map is where algae bloom reports from local citizens are posted.
The Algae Watch team reviews all information submitted and results posted are condensed versions of the original submission. Observations that have been posted are on the map for a calendar year. After that they are archived and available on request.
Posted information has not been verified and is insufficient alone to determine whether the potential bloom is a risk to human or animal health. The Algae Watch Team will follow up on posted information to confirm the identification of the reported bloom.
Photos can be taken by your phone and easily submitted. A photo of the maximum extent of the bloom, another of the shoreline in the same location as the first photo and a close up photo will provide the visual information that will be helpful for the Algae Response Team in positively identifying the bloom. Be sure to not include any personal information with your photos.
The Algae Watch Observation Map has features that allow you to see 2021 and 2022 submitted observations. Health Authority Boundaries can also be shown. There are two submitted observations in the Shuswap for algae blooms on the map observed on June 24th at 6pm and June 25 at 9:50 am.
Helpful Information on Cyanobacteria
Learn more about algae and submit your observations, you will be guided through a simple questionnaire. Citizens are encouraged to report their findings at Algae Watch
Interior Health offer updates related to beach closures and recreational notices here
Information courtesy Shuswap Watershed Council, Province of BC sources.
Cautionary areas of aglae bloom on Shuswap lake (CSRD)
