Alberta Health Services (AHS) is warning visitors and residents that Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) has been identified in a Southern Alberta lake.

According to AHS, the algae has been located in the waters of Clear Lake in the Municipal District of Willow Creek. The lake is located approximately 160 kilometres south of Airdrie. AHS said that both visitors to the lake, as well as residents living near the shores of this lake, are advised to avoid all contact with cyanobacterial blooms.

"Please note that waters of Clear Lake in which the cyanobacterial bloom is not visible can still be used for recreational purposes, even while this Health Advisory is in place. An alternate source of drinking water should also be provided for pets and livestock, while this advisory is active."

AHS said that 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 cyanobacteria are visible."

AHS also advises to not feed whole fish or fish trimmings from this lake to your pets.

"Consider limiting human consumption of whole fish and fish trimmings from this lake, as it is known that fish may store toxins in their liver. People can safely consume fish fillets from this lake."

As always, visitors and residents are reminded to never drink or cook with untreated water directly from any recreational body of water, including Clear Lake, at any time. Boiling of this water will not remove the toxins produced by cyanobacteria. According to AHS, Cyanobacteria is naturally occurring and often becomes visible when weather conditions are calm.

"Appearing like scum, grass clippings, fuzz, or globs on the surface of the water, cyanobacteria can be blue-green, greenish-brown, brown, and/or pinkish-red, and often smell musty or grassy."

People who come in contact with visible cyanobacteria or who ingest water containing cyanobacteria may experience skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea 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. Exposure to the bacteria may be fatal to pets. Weather and wind conditions can cause algae blooms to move from one location in the lake to another."

The advisory will remain in effect for Clear Lake, until further notice.

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