No swimming in Baptiste Lake west of Athabasca this Canada Day long weekend.

Alberta Health Services has issued an advisory for Baptiste due to blue-green algae.
    Residents who live on or near Baptiste Lake, or visitors to the lake, are warned to not drink the water or let pets drink the water.
    AHS has advised people and pets should also not swim or wade in the lake.  Any fish caught in the lake should not be eaten and people should also avoid contact with blue-green algae along the shoreline.
    The colourful algae produce a poison that can cause serious illness to animals or humans who drink or have skin contact with water containing this toxin.
    People who come in contact with or ingest water containing the blue-green algae may experience skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea and vomiting and/or diarrhea.

Baptiste Lake is west of Athabasca.