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Algae warning at Elk/Beaver Lake Park

Beaver Beach at Elk/Beaver Lake Park tested positive for blue-green algae and associated cyanotoxins

Beaver Beach at Elk/Beaver Lake Park tested positive for blue-green algae and associated cyanotoxins, according to a Capital Regional District test result on Tuesday.

Visitors are advised to avoid Beaver Lake and to keep animals on a leash to prevent them from drinking or swimming in the lake until the warning is lifted. There are no signs of blue-green algae at Elk Lake.

Monitoring will continue at both lakes.

Blue-green algae appears as a sheen, and as surface scum. Algal blooms are unpredictable and may occur at any time, although blooms most typically occur over the winter months from November to March.

These algae are known toxin producers and these compounds have been detected in the current bloom at Elk/Beaver Lake. Ingestion can cause a range of symptoms, such as headaches and abdominal pain in humans. It can lead to lethal liver damage in dogs.

Visit crd.bc.ca/parks for updates.