76th Edition
July 2022
Cautionary Notification of Algae Bloom
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By Barbra Fairclough Cyanobacteria sometimes referred to Interior Health has issued a Cautionary as blue green algae are naturally occurring notification of an algae bloom for Shuswap microscopic bacteria that are common to Lake - Salmon Arm and Sunnybrae Tappen freshwater ecosystems throughout BC. - effective June 28. They are called blue green because A “Cautionary” cyanobacteria adviso- they share key features with Algae such as ry issued by Interior Health indicates that being aquatic organisms capable of photoalgae is present and synthesising. either no testing has In most circumbeen conducted or stances cyanobactetesting has not identiria cause no apparent fied toxins. harm in water bodies. A public update Depending on species from the Shuswap and abundance their Watershed Council appearance is quite varon June 29 includied including multi coed a map showing lours from blue green, the locations of the green, brown, red, bloom. Advisement white, and blue. They was given in the postcan look like pea soup ing to avoid direct to globular to bead like contact with the algal shapes. bloom and if contact Several species of has been made, rinse cyanobacteria are cayour body with clean pable of producing toxwater. Where the ins, neurotoxins, and bloom is present peoskin irritants. Not all ple are recommended cyanobacteria are toxto avoid recreationic and sometimes toxic al activities such as species do not always swimming. produce toxins. If you Algae bloom in Sunnybrae Interior Health have concerns, contact (Photo credit Barbra Fairclough) recommends usyour local health auing an alternate thority. source for drinking water if your source of When in doubt Stay out! water intake is in the body of water with Erin Vierra of Fraser Basin Council the bloom. Boiling the water will not reposted algae blooms are complicated, many move any toxins. Consider providing pets factors contribute to them but generally a and livestock with an alternative source of new supply of nutrients during freshet (via (Continued on page 3) drinking water.