Water testing this week has shown that levels of Escherichia coli (E. coli) were within recreational water quality guidelines at most beaches monitored by Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship.
Escherichia coli counts were above the guideline at St. Malo beach on Aug. 20 but returned to within the guideline by Aug. 22.
Algal blooms were reported at a number of beaches this past week.
At Pelican Lake (Ninette and Pleasant Valley beaches), the number of blue-green algal cells and the concentration of the algal toxin microcystin remain above the recreational water quality guideline. Toxic algae advisory signs remain posted at both locations on Pelican Lake. Drinking, swimming or other contact with the water, including use of water for livestock or pets, is not recommended.
The concentration of the algal toxin microcystin was over the recreational water quality guideline last week at Killarney Lake beach but levels are currently within the guideline. The number of blue-green algal cells is also currently less than the recreational water quality guideline.
Algal blooms were reported on Rock Lake (Christian Enrichment Camp), at Oak Lake beach, at Inverness Falls beach on Brereton Lake and at Ochre Beach on Dauphin Lake. The number of blue green algal cells was above the recreational water quality guideline. The concentration of the algal toxin microcystin was below the recreational water quality guideline at these locations.
On Lake Winnipeg, algal blooms were reported at Victoria, Patricia and West Grand beaches, but the number of blue-green algal cells and the concentration of the algal toxin microcystin were below the recreational water quality guidelines.
Algal blooms were also reported at Stephenfield Reservoir, Big Whiteshell Lake, Lake Minnewasta and Poplar Bay on Lac du Bonnet, but the number of blue-green algal cells and the concentration of the algal toxin microcystin were below the recreational water quality guidelines.
Algal blooms were also reported at the Salt Lake campground beach. Water samples were collected today and results will be available early next week.
On Lake Winnipeg, algae advisory signs are posted at Hillside, Victoria (Red Cross Dock) and West Grand beaches and at the lagoon at West Grand Beach.
Algae advisory signs are posted at Rock Lake (Christian Enrichment Camp), Killarney Lake, Ochre Beach on Dauphin Lake, Inverness Falls beach on Brereton Lake and Oak Lake beach.
Information on beaches where advisory signs are posted is available at the department website.
Algae blooms are difficult to predict and may form and then disperse quickly, or last for several days or weeks. Warm and calm weather coupled with relatively high nutrient loads provide ideal conditions for blue-green algae to develop.
People are reminded to avoid swimming in water where severe algae blooms are visible and to prevent pets from drinking water along the shoreline.
Information on results of beach water quality testing, advisory signs posted at beaches, and swimmer and water safety is available online.
