Soupy goo swept into B.C.’s Okanagan Lake spawns algae bloom in north arm – CP

Source: The Canadian Press
Jun 26, 2017

VERNON, B.C. _ An algae bloom in the north arm of British Columbia’s Okanagan Lake has prompted a warning to stay out of water in the area until further notice.

The Okanagan Indian Band says the bloom in waters off its land was first thought to be a sewage leak but testing showed it was caused by a high level of organic material in the lake.

The affected area is north and west of Vernon.

High temperatures over the weekend helped the algae flourish in a soupy mixture that the band says includes everything from burlap and sand debris to sewage, grass, leaves and dead animals.

Levels of Okanagan Lake are receding from recent record highs, but the water still remains above flood stage and officials in the band’s emergency operations centre predict the algae bloom will remain for at least another week.

Residents and visitors are advised not to drink water or eat fish from the north arm of the lake and also to keep pets and livestock away.

About 200 seasonal and permanent homes on band land remain on evacuation order due to flooding. (CICF, CKIZ)

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