Look before you leap: Everything you need to know about blue-green algae in Sask.

As you head to the lake this summer, it may be a good idea to check the water before you leap in.

The government of Saskatchewan says concentrations of blue-green algae can give the water a shimmering, foamy and pea soup-like appearance. The blooms could be blue-green, bright blue, grey or tan in colour.

Blue-green algae is not actually an algae but a bacteria called Cyanobacteria that can turn what was supposed to be a fun weekend into a nightmare. It likes to grow in steady, nutrient-rich water when the weather is hot and dry.

Sean Osmar from Saskatchewan’s Water Security Agency said Cyanobacteria is very dependent on the weather.

“It’s naturally occurring. It comes in seasons like this year and last year — we’ve had a lot of hot, dry weather, so you’ll see more of it. In previous years where we had cooler, wetter weather, you typically wouldn’t see as much of it, or in as many lakes,” said Osmar.

Cyanobacteria can begin to grow in late May or early June and stick around through the summer, finally disappearing with the heat in September and October.

Blue-green algae are present in many of Saskatchewan’s bodies of water but tend to be much more concentrated in the south of the province. In small amounts, the bacteria can be harmless, but in large quantities, they can have a much larger impact.

Osmar said lake users will probably be able to smell it before they see it.

“We do advise you to avoid it. It’s got a funky smell … the colour isn’t good, and it’s kind of gross to touch,” he said.

Osmar said people can get pretty sick depending on how much contact they have had.

“If you swim in it, it can cause rashes. If you happen to ingest some, it can cause a number of possible symptoms, including a sore throat, rashes, itchy eyes, and it can even cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Osmar said the same advice applied to pets.

Even fishing isn’t safe in water with blue-green algae, and people don’t even have to touch the water to feel the effects.

“Eating organ meat from fish or some shellfish from lakes that have blue-green algae … can cause sickness and nausea,” said Osmar.

You can check if your favourite lake is affected by looking for signs set up around the area or by checking the Healthy Beaches Program website.

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