Skip to content

Blue-green algae found at Buck Lake

AHS has issued a health advisory for the lake until further notice
26042004_web1_180412-RDA-Fatality-report-AHS

Alberta Health Services has issued a health advisory for Buck Lake near Drayton Valley in Wetaskiwin County.

A blue-green algae bloom has been identified in the area and residents and visitors are encouraged to avoid all contact with the blooms. Individuals are also asked not to swim or wade in the water near the algae and not feed whole fish or fish trimmings from the lake to pets.

People who do come in contact with visible blue-green algae or who ingest water containing blue-green algae 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; however, all humans are at risk of these symptoms.

Weather and wind conditions can cause algae blooms to move from one location in the lake to another and with that, the advisory will be in place until further notice.

Areas of Buck Lake in which the blue-green algae bloom is not visible can still be used for recreational purposes, even while this blue-green algae Health Advisory is in place.