Water testing this week has shown that levels of Escherichia coli (E. coli) were within recreational water quality guidelines at all beaches monitored by Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship.
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.
On Brereton Lake, the number of blue-green algal cells was above the recreational water quality guideline at Inverness Falls but below the recreational water quality guideline at the south pumphouse beach. The concentration of the algal toxin microcystin was below the recreational water quality guideline at both locations.
At Ochre Beach on Lake Dauphin, the number of blue-green algal cells was above the recreational water quality guideline but the concentration of the algal toxin microcystin was below the recreational water quality guideline.
Algal blooms were reported on Rock Lake (Christian Enrichment Camp) and Killarney Lake beach. The number of blue-green algal cells was below the recreational water quality guideline and the concentration of the algal toxin microcystin was below the recreational water quality guideline at both locations.
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 also posted at Rock Lake (Christian Enrichment Camp), Killarney Lake beach, Ochre Beach on Dauphin Lake and Oak Lake beach. Algae advisory signs are also posted on Brereton Lake at Inverness Falls beach, the campground beach and the south pumphouse 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 and swimmer and water safety is available online.
This is the last beach condition report for the 2012 summer season. Any additional sampling results will be available on the website as soon as they are available.
