Algae warning at Travers Reservoir continues

People like to use lakes to cool off in, especially when it’s hot.  However, Alberta Health Services is continuing to advise people to stay out of Travers Reservoir, north of Lethbridge.   Dr. Brent Friesen does not expect the blue green algae that AHS warned about last week will go away soon.

“Usually, the situation is that the advisory remains in effect for the balance of the year,”  Dr. Friesen said.  “Although the algae may move around, it’s likely that the toxins produced by the algae would still be present in the water so the restrictions would remain in place.

Blue green algae produces a toxin that can make people and animals ill.  Alberta Health is urging people and their pets not to  swim, drink or wade in Travers Reservoir.   Although it’s still fine to boat and fish on the reservoir, Dr. Friesen advises people to limit the fish they eat to the filets and muscle cuts.   He also said that since toxins are absorbed through the skin, it’s not enough to shower after being in the water.

“I wouldn’t be recommending that as a protective measure in and of itself,” said Dr. Friesen.  “It will reduce the exposure but unlike some other conditions like swimmers itch, where if you shower and towel right after coming out of the water you significantly reduce your risk of getting it, that’s not the case in terms of blue green algae.”

He said it’s also not good enough to simply boil water before drinking it.

“Boiling the water doesn’t inactivate or destroy the toxin so the water’s still not safe to drink,” said Dr. Friesen.

He said the amount of nutrients coming from land near the Travers Reservoir, some of it agricultural land,  may be one reason why the blue-green algae has appeared.

“One thing that’s different this year is the affect of floodwaters with the amount of surface runoff that occurred into various water bodies,”  Dr. Friesen said. “That probably brought heavier nutrient loads that we would normally see.”

People may contact Health Link,  MyHealth Alberta or the Alberta Health Services website for more information on blue-green algae and the advisory at Travers Reservoir.