The Cobden Beach is closed once again during the hottest part of the summer. It was closed by the Renfrew County and District Health Unit on July 23 due to blue-green algae.
But this isn’t new. It’s closed almost every summer because of this contamination.
And, because it’s unsafe to use for swimming, the second session of swimming lessons for Whitewater Region are being held on the beach of Wilderness Tours.
In a release from the health unit, it noted that blue-green algae blooms are a natural seasonal phenomenon that may appear in lakes, rivers and ponds. Some species have the potential to produce toxins which may be harmful to people and animals. Toxins are released into the water when the algae cells are damaged or begin to decay. Direct contact with the toxin can cause skin irritation and if ingested in higher concentrations, may result in vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Any person using Muskrat Lake or any waterbody for recreational or drinking water purposes, should become familiar with blue-green algae so they can make informed decisions about using the water. Although algae blooms degrade with time, the length of time potential toxins remain in the area is dependent upon local water movement characteristics.
If people see a bloom, precautions should be taken, including avoiding direct contact with it; avoid using the water for drinking, bathing or showering and do not allow children, pets or livestock to drink or swim in the water; boiling the water for drinking purposes should be avoided because boiling may release more toxins into the water; avoid cooking with the water because foods may absorb the toxins during the cooking process; caution should be exercised with respect to eating fish caught in water where blue-green algae blooms have occurred. Avoid eating the liver, kidneys and other organs of fish caught in the water.
The health unit will continue to monitor the water conditions in Muskrat Lake.
Marsha Hawthorne, Deputy-Chief Administrative Officer for the Township of Whitewater Region, said an agreement was worked out earlier in the swim season with Wilderness Tours.
There was discussion about having the swimming lessons at Little Lakes in Beachburg, however, the big drop-off just off the beach, was a concern to some parents, Ms. Hawthorne said. As well, there are no washroom facilities, she added.
This is the first time alternate arrangements have been made and it seems to be working out, Ms. Hawthorne noted.
When registration was taking place for the second session, parents were advised they would have to take their child to Wilderness tours and all were okay with that, she said.
The second session of swim lessons is July 29 to Aug. 14. There are 40 people taking swim lesson this session.
The first session also saw about 40 swimmers, she said.
