Blue-green algae bloom at Prior Lake

Saturday May 28, 2022 | VIEW ROYAL, BC [This is still actively posted by CRD as of June 3, 2022]

by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends

There is a blue-green algae bloom at Prior Lake, located in Thetis Lake Regional Park.

The Capital Regional District (CRD) issued that advisory on Thursday May 26, in consultation with Island Health.

“These algae are known toxin producers. Ingesting water containing these cyanotoxins may cause a range of symptoms—including headaches and abdominal pain in humans—and can lead to lethal liver damage in dogs,” says CRD.

Avoid swimming at Prior Lake:

Park visitors are advised to avoid swimming at Prior Lake and to keep animals on a leash to prevent them from drinking or swimming in the lake until this advisory has been lifted, says CRD.

The algae usually produce a visible blue-green sheen, which appears as surface scum on the water.

Not all blooms are easy to see and toxins can still be present in the water even if you cannot see a bloom.

Blooms are unpredictable and may occur at any time.

To learn more about blue-green algae, visit:

• Healthlink BC: Blue-green Algae
• CRD: Blue-green Algae Blooms

For more information on Prior Lake (located within Thetis Lake Regional Park):

• CRD: Thetis Lake Regional Park
• Thetis Lake Regional Park map (PDF)