Interior Health issues cautionary advisory due to algae bloom in Shuswap Lake near Salmon Arm

Photo: Google Maps

Interior Health has issued a cautionary advisory due to an algae bloom found in an area of Shuswap Lake.

Health officials are monitoring an algae bloom in Shuswap Lake.

According to a joint statement from the First Nations Health Authority, Interior Health and the City of Salmon Arm, the algae bloom is located in the Salmon Arm wharf and Tappen Bay area of the lake.

Interior Health has issued a cautionary advisory, and advised residents and visitors to avoid all direct contact with the algae bloom.

The cautionary advisory includes SunnyBrae, Canoe Beach and Herald Provincial Park.

“If contact is made, rinse your body with clean water. Recreational activities, such as swimming, are discouraged in areas where the bloom is present,” the statement said.

The health authority said people shouldn’t consume drinking water that comes directly from the lake, and should consider providing pets and livestock with an alternate source of drinking water.

“If your source water intake is from the Salmon Arm wharf and Tappen area of Shuswap Lake, consider using an alternate source for drinking water. Contact your water supplier for more information,” the statement said.

According to Interior Health, cyanobacteria or blue green algae can produce several types of toxins that can be poisonous to people, pets or livestock.

A cautionary advisory means that an algae bloom is present in an area, but testing has not identified toxins.

REPOST: @ShuswapWater Aug 10, 2022
Interior Health has issued a Cautionary Advisory at the Salmon Arm Wharf and Tappen due to an algal bloom. The bloom was first reported on August 8th. Water samples have been collected from the affected sites and analysis is underway. pic.twitter.com/pRxmeJeO8G

— City of Salmon Arm (@SalmonArmBC) August 11, 2022