Blue-green algae spotted on Guelph Lake

GUELPH/ERAMOSA – Blue-green algae has been spotted at a third lake within Wellington County.

"The presence of a suspected blue-green algae bloom has been observed at Guelph Lake Conservation Area," stated a Sept. 12 press release from the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA).

It added the environment ministry and public health have been notified.

The announcement comes just weeks after the GRCA closed the beaches at the Belwood Lake (Aug. 27) and Conestogo Lake (Aug. 22) conservation areas.

Both closures were due to blue-green algae blooms, which are discovered pretty much every summer at Belwood, Conestogo and/or Guelph Lakes, as hot weather creates “the perfect conditions” for it to grow in large bodies of water, officials say.

“There is permanent signage at these locations advising visitors of the potential for blue-green algae blooms and precautions that should be taken,” the GRCA stated.

Officials say users of Guelph Lake should take the following precautions:

• keep children and pets away from the algae;
• avoid contact with the algae;
• don’t eat fish from the lake;
• don’t use the water for drinking or any other purpose; and
• don’t swim in areas “where you see scum, or it is accumulating along the shoreline.”

Anyone with health-related questions can contactpublic health.

For more information visit the GRCA website.