What To Do When Your Lake is Affected

Summary of the 2015 Season Paula Stewart and Teresa Clow

Blue-Green Algae

Picture Courtesy of MOECC

In 2015 the Health Unit and area Lake Associations launched a collaborative effort on blue green algae Information for lakes users on potential health risks by blue-

green algae blooms and how to respond.

Notification of blooms in a timely manner to lake users.

April 2015 presentation to Lake Networking Group by various agencies involved with blue-green algae

Lake Networking Group compiled an extensive list of Lake Associations and their contacts and email addresses and provided to it to the health unit.

Resources such as fact sheets and a PowerPoint presentation were made available to Lake Associations

Responding to Blue -Green Algae Incidents

Resident reports of blue-green algae were directed to Spills Action Centre (SAC)

SAC notified the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) area Environmental Officer

Environmental Officer reviewed photos if provided or and/or conduct site visit to confirm and collect samples

Health Unit notified by MOECC, and where visual confirmation was made, a notice was sent out to the contacts on the Lake Association list for distribution

Copy of notice was also sent to township, and conservation authority as an FYI

Response to Reports of Suspected Blue Green Algae

When sample results were provided to the Health Unit, another notice was sent to the same groups indicating if toxin was present or not and at what levels

All notices were posted on the Health Unit website

Sample Results

Sample Notice to Lake Associations

Sample Notices re Toxin Results

Getting the Message Out

This summer a student distributed this poster to: • local marinas • posted it at boat launches

To educate visitors to our lakes regarding blue-green algae A table top version of blue-green algae display is available to lake associations upon request

Focus of Messaging Key Messages Include:

Being able to recognize blue-green algae blooms and taking a cautionary approach rather than waiting for results of testing

Knowing what precautions need to be taken regarding drinking water, swimming and recreational activities, and fishing

Assessing conditions in their area of the lake to determine when they can resume their activities

Reports of Blue-Green Algae Blooms

The health unit responded to 16 reports of blue-green algae

Highest number of reports in recent years

Earliest report received in June, reports continued into late September, early Ocober.

Number of Reported Sightings

Number Confirmed as BGA

Number Confirmed as not BGA

Number Containing Toxins

16 7 9 3

What Our Residents Shared With Us

In Conclusion

The Health Unit would like to express their sincere thanks to Lake Association partners for all their assistance in getting the message out.

We hope to continue to work together and improve the system.

We are open to your suggestions, so please feel free to put forth ideas for our consideration.

Know the Plant Know the sap Know what to do

Found in disturbed areas

Most commonly fund in railway embankments, roadsides, trials, shorelines, ditches, forest clearings, quarries

Ontario – along fence rows, edge of agricultural fields, water courses and drainage areas

Can invade agricultural fields

Know the plant: wild parsnip

Grows for two years then flowers and produces a fruit containing thousands of seeds then dies

Seeds mature by mid-summer

Remain attached to dead stock with seed dispersal between August and November

Know the plant: wild parsnip

Seeds can remain in soil for 5 years.

Reproduce by seeds, majority germinate in the spring, plants found grow year after year to same place

Animals may bring sap from plant into contact with people.

Know the plant: wild parsnip

Sap on stem, leaves and flowers contains furocoumarins.

Furocoumarins are absorbed by skin

Sap most potent when plant is in flower

Moisture form perspiration speeds absorption

Know the sap

Sunlight (UV radiation) interacts with furocoumarins under skin

Purplish skin discolouration

Red painful rash within one day

Inflammation and blisters to skin within 3 days

Risk of long lasting scars, temporary or permanent blindness

Know the sap

Photo credit: Andrew Link, Winona Daily News, 2013

If skin is exposed to sap wash area with soap and water as soon as possible

Protect area from sun exposure

Watch for symptoms

Cover area with a cool wet cloth and keep covered when in sun.

Seek medical care if blisters form, do not burst them

Know What to Do

Control of wild parsnip

Mowing over repeated seasons (May – June)

Removal by shovel

Gloves, pants and long sleeve shirt and in evening

Tarping

Chemical control

From: Wild Parsnip – Best Management Practices in Ontario (Ontario Invasive Plant Council)

Know What to Do

Know What to Do

@LGLbeaches – June – Sept

@areyousafe

1-800-660-5853

Thank You