The Capital Regional District has closed Beaver Lake for swimming after a bloom of blue-green algae was detected at the popular park and swimming spot.
A warning has been issued advising visitors to avoid swimming at Beaver Lake, and to keep animals on a leash to prevent them from drinking lake water or swimming in it.
The algae usually produce a visible blue-green sheen, which appears as surface scum. However, not all algal blooms are easy to see and toxins can still be present in the water.
The unpredictable algal blooms can occur at any time, althought they typically occur from November to March.
These known toxin producers have been detected at Elk and Beaver Lake in the past.
Ingesting water containing the blue-green algae can cause symptoms including headaches and abdominal pain in humans, and potential lethal liver damage in dogs.
As a precaution, officials said on Sunday the lake is being closed for swimming until testing results to determine the presence of toxins are returned.
