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.
On Lake Manitoba, E. coli counts were above the guideline at Delta Beach on July 22 but quickly returned below the guideline by July 24. Elevated levels of bacteria were likely caused by storms, with wind and wave action washing bacteria out of the sand and into the bathing area.
Algal blooms were reported at a number of beaches over this past week.
At Killarney Lake, Rock Lake Christian Camp and Pelican Lake (Ninette), the number of blue-green algal cells was above the recreational water quality guideline on July 23. The concentration of the algal toxin microcystin was below the recreational water quality guideline.
The number of blue-green algal cells quickly returned to below the guideline on July 25 at Killarney Lake beach and Rock Lake Christian Camp. However, the number of blue-green algal cells at Pelican Lake (Ninette) remained above the recreational water quality guideline on July 25.
The number of blue-green algal cells was above the guideline at Pelican Lake (Pleasant Valley) on July 23. The number of blue-green algal cells and the concentration of algal toxin microcystin were above the guideline at Pelican Lake (Pleasant Valley) on July 25. Swimming, drinking or other contact with the water is not recommended until the level of algal toxin microcystin returns below the guideline. Another sample will be collected on Monday, July 29.
Algal blooms were also observed at Silver Lake beach and Shoe Lake, and the number of blue-green algal cells was above the recreational water quality guideline on July 23. The concentration of the algal toxin microcystin was below the recreational water quality guideline. Another sample will be collected on Monday, July 29.
Up to date information on algal advisory signs posted at beaches is available online.
A new algal toxin advisory sign was posted at Pelican Lake (Pleasant Valley). Algal advisory signs remain posted at Pelican Lake (Ninette) and Killarney Lake beach.
Algal 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 provides ideal conditions for blue-green algae to develop.
People are reminded to avoid swimming in water where severe algal blooms are visible and to prevent pets from drinking water along the shoreline.
There was one new case of swimmer’s itch reported this week at Whytewold Beach (Lake Winnipeg). Swimmer’s itch advisory signs remain posted at Moose Lake Provincial Park, Winnipeg Beach (Lake Winnipeg) and Gull Lake.
Information on results of beach water quality testing, and swimmer and water safety is available online.
