September 9, 2025 update: Paddle River Dam Reservoir has been added to the list of Alberta Health Services' public health advisories for County lakes with blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms.

Alberta Health Services has issued public health advisories following the detection of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms in areas of Lessard Lake, Devil's/Matchayaw Lake, Nakamun Lake, Lake Isle, Lac Ste. Anne, Lac La Nonne and now Paddle River Dam Reservoir.

These advisories were issued based on visual blooms and cell count results. They will remain in place until further notice.

Residents living near the shores, as well as visitors to these lakes, are advised to take the following precautions:

• Avoid all contact with blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms. If contact occurs, wash with tap water as soon as possible.
• Do not swim or wade, or allow your pets to swim or wade in any areas where blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) is visible.
• Do not feed whole fish or fish trimmings from this lake to your pets.
• Consider limiting human consumption of whole fish and fish trimmings from this lake, as it is known that fish may store toxins in their liver. (People can safely consume fish fillets from this lake). 
• Do not use water contaminated with cyanobacteria to water edible plants. This is particularly important for plants with edible parts exposed to the ground surface (such as cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes, and other salad vegetables).

As always, visitors and residents are reminded to never drink or cook with untreated water directly from any recreational body of water, including the aforementioned lakes, at any time. Boiling of this water will not remove the toxins produced by blue-green algae. An alternate source of drinking water should also be provided for pets and livestock while this advisory is active.

People who come in contact with visible blue-green algae or who ingest water containing blue-green algae may experience skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea and vomiting and/or diarrhea. Symptoms usually appear within one to three hours and resolve in one to two days. Symptoms in children are often more pronounced; however, all humans are at risk of these symptoms. Exposure to the bacteria may be fatal to pets.

Weather and wind conditions can cause algae blooms to move from one location in the lake to another. Due to this, the advisory will remain in effect for Lessard Lake until further notice.

If you suspect a problem related to blue-green algae or require further information on health concerns and blue-green algae, please call Health Link at 811. Additional information is also available online at ahs.ca/eph.