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UPDATE: As of June 14, 2021, overnight camping at Dickson Lake, Hardy Bay of Lake Lavieille, and Ryan Lake has been reopened by Ontario Parks. |
Special Algae Related Advisory for Dickson Lake, Lake Lavieille (Hardy Bay), and Ryan Lake
Ontario Parks, the government organization responsible for the management of Algonquin Provincial Park, is reporting...
Presence of Algal Bloom
Image: Aerial image of Dickson Lake in Algonquin Park (click to enlarge).
Dickson Lake, Hardy Bay on Lake Lavieille, and Ryan Lake remain closed to overnight camping until further notice. At this time, the canoe route remains open for travel.
Dickson Lake and the south end of Lake Lavieille were closed to camping in 2015 and 2016 due to the presence of blue-green algae (see "Related Information" below). Evidence of algae was also discovered on Ryan Lake in 2016 resulting in its closure to camping. At the current time, these campsites will remain closed for public safety reasons. Some forms of algae can pose health risks to both pets and humans.
The following precautions are recommended:
- People or pets should not consume untreated, boiled, or filtered water
- Consumption of fish is not recommended. If eating fish, avoid eating the skin, organs, and fatty
tissues
- Minimize direct contact with water
- Do not use water for food preparation or bathing.
What are blue-green algae?
Blue-green algae are microscopic organisms (cyanobacteria) that are naturally present in lakes and streams. They are usually present in low numbers but can, under the right conditions, rapidly increase and form blooms that discolour the water or produce floating rafts or scum.
Why can’t I drink the water if it is filtered or treated?
Boiling the water may rupture the cells and release toxins. Toxins that may be released by blue-green algae are not removed by small scale treatment methods such as filtration, chlorination, or ultraviolet light disinfection.
What are the potential health effects from drinking or coming in contact with water containing blue-green algae?
Some blue-green algae produce toxins that can pose a health risk to people and animals. Toxins are released into the water when the algae cells are damaged or begin to decay. Direct contact with the toxin can cause skin irritation, and if ingested in higher concentrations, may result in vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Is it safe to eat fish caught from waters affected by a blue-green algae bloom?
Eating fish caught from affected waters is an unknown health risk. It is known that some algae toxins have been found to accumulate in fish tissues, and particularly in organs such as the liver and kidneys. Toxin
accumulation studies suggest that the muscle (fillet) tissue is less affected by algae toxins. Please consult your local Health Unit for more information on blue-green algae and any potential health
effects.
Publications Related to the Dickson Lake Algae Bloom
- Lakes in Hot Water: The Impacts of a Changing Climate on Aquatic Ecosystems Bioscience, July 2022
- Climate variability promotes unprecedented cyanobacterial blooms in a remote, oligotrophic Ontario lake: evidence from paleolimnology Journal of Paleolimnology, June 2019
- Performance and competitiveness of red vs. green phenotypes of a cyanobacterium grown under artificial lake browning Algae, August 2021
Related Information
- Algonquin Park Advisories
- Public Advisory – Dickson Lake, Lake Lavieille, and Ryan Lake issued August 15, 2016
- Public Advisory – Dickson Lake and Lake Lavieille – Algae Present issued July 7, 2015
- News Bulletin: Sediment Coring the Bottom of Dickson Lake issued April 7, 2015
- News Bulletin: Dickson Lake and Lake Lavieille Algae Bloom Update issued February 17, 2015
- News Bulletin: Dickson Lake and Lake Lavieille Closed to Travel and Camping - Algae Bloom issued September 25, 2014
- Algonquin Park Canoe Routes Map
- Camping in the Backcountry
Reserve your developed or backcountry campsite for your next visit.
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Special regulations for Algonquin's special fishery.