Water advisories issued for Pigeon Lake, Slave Lake, Alberta Beach

Alberta Health Services (AHS) has issued water advisories for lakes ahead of the long weekend.

Visitors to Lesser Slave Lake, Pigeon Lake and Alberta Beach are advised to keep an eye out for blue-green algae.

There are also other lakes in Alberta that AHS deemed unsafe to swim in.

Exposure to blue-green algae can cause skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Blue-green algae can be fatal to pets.

AHS recommends washing with tap water as soon as exposure occurs.

Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, appears on the water’s surface and can often look like scum, grass clippings, fuzz or globs. It can be blue-green, greenish-brown, brown or pinkish-red and often smells musty or grassy.