If the Twin Valley Reservoir south of Nanton is in your weekend plans there is something you need to know.

Alberta Health Services says a blue-green algae bloom has been identified in the lake.

It is naturally occurring, and appears like scum, grass clippings, fuzz or globs on the surface of water it can be blue-green, greenish-brown, brown, and/or pinkish-red, and often smell musty or grassy.

AHS also advises people and pets should not not swim or wade in any areas where blue-green algae is visible.  

Livestock should not be watered from infected water.

Also aviod eating whole fish as the toxins can be stored in their liver, fish fillets are safe to eat.

People who come into contact with it may experience skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea and 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.

Areas of Twin Valley Reservoir in which the blue-green algae bloom is not visible can still be used for recreational purposes, even while this advisory is in place.

 

If you see something we should know about e-mail us at news@highriveronline.com