Algal bloom advisory issued for Calgary’s Lake Sundance

Alberta Health Services (AHS) has issued a health advisory for Lake Sundance in southeast Calgary, warning of the presence of cyanobacterial (blue-green algal) bloom toxins. The toxins have been identified in the private community lake, prompting precautions for residents and visitors.

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They’re getting more frequent, because their summers are getting longer. They’re getting hotter. And there’s nutrients in these lakes, so it’s an ideal situation for these blooms to occur.

Cyanobacteria occur naturally, but blooms are becoming more common with longer, hotter summers. University of Calgary scientist Marc Strous explained that the combination of warmer temperatures and nutrients in the lakes creates an ideal environment for these blooms to occur. AHS describes the blooms as potentially resembling scum, streaks, grass clippings, or paint, often with a musty or grassy odor.

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They can look like scum, streaks, grass clippings, fuzz balls, paint or pea soup. They often smell musty or grassy

While the lake remains open for recreation, AHS advises against swimming or wading in areas with visible blooms and recommends washing with clean water immediately after any contact. Drinking or cooking with lake water is also discouraged, and precautions are advised for consuming fish. Pet owners are urged to keep animals away from the water and any blooms on the shore. Symptoms of exposure can include skin irritation, sore throat, red eyes, and gastrointestinal issues, typically appearing within hours of contact.

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They will naturally disappear again when the temperatures go down, maybe a longer period of less sunlight, so then all these bacteria that grew in this lake, they will not have sunlight anymore and they will start to die.