Dog Lake Association

Regarding the algal bloom appearing from about Corkstown bridge down to Ottawa, Parks Canada is fully aware of the situation. The current nuisance algal bloo...m has been identified by Parks Canada experts as green filamentous algae. While this type of algae does not produce toxins like blue green algae, it can cause some environmental concerns in a closed system if left to degrade in place. While not a frequent issue, it is not without precedent. All bodies of water experience weed growth and algae blooms from time to time which can result from a combinations of warm temperatures, high nutrient loads and low flow conditions. This situation presents no impediments to boat navigation. While a natural phenomenon, Parks Canada has considered all options and decided to remove the floating algae mass. Parks Canada will mobilize the weed harvester to this location on Monday to carry out the removal of weeds and will also increase the flow of water through Ottawa to facilitate clean up and impede further growth. By removing the current algal bloom, Parks Canada will be able to remove a large amount of phosphorous, protect against potential loss of oxygen in the water column if the mass were left to decompose in place, and protect birds and other wildlife from negative impacts associated with large nuisance algal blooms.

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