ATHABASCA — Alberta Health Services (AHS) announced the lifting of cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, water advisories for Baptiste Lake Skeleton Lake, and McFarlane Beach at Calling Lake, among a list of 28 bodies of water in the North Zone.
In a Nov. 2 release from Grande Prairie, AHS said recent changes in water temperature have eliminated the health concerns posed by blue-green algae. The advisories for Baptiste Lake and Skeleton Lake were issued on June 19 and 20, 2023, respectively, and the advisory for McFarlane Beach was issued Aug. 28, 2023.
According to AHS’ website, blue-green algae “is naturally occurring, and often becomes visible when weather conditions are calm. Appearing like scum, grass clippings, fuzz, or globs on the surface of water, cyanobacteria can be blue-green, greenish brown, brown, and/or pinkish-red, and often smell musty or grassy.”
AHS reminded visitors and residents to never drink or cook with untreated water directly from any recreational body of water at any time.
