(Photo: Courtesy of Dexter Barry)
If you have recently visited Jones Lake, you will have noticed the thick bloom of algae on the surface.
The City of Moncton reassures it is not the toxic blue/green kind.
Spokesperson Austin Henderson says it is called horse hair algae, “It is not blue/green algae. It easily forms on Jones Lake because the water is relatively shallow, and it is an open body of water and that gives the sun a good chance to heat up the water. On top of that, there is storm water that flows into Jones Lake.”
Henderson says the City monitors and tests bodies of water on a regular basis, “We actually test all waterways in Moncton weekly to make sure they can remain open. Jones Lake gets tested for Blue/green algae, ecoli and fecal coliform, which are other bacteria types that can be present in the water.”
He adds, if they find blue/green algae or another bacteria is present, signs are posted to let the public know, and there will also be advisories on their social media.
He says horse hair algae is difficult to remove, “As soon as we would remove it, it would come back. The body of water is very shallow and open and so it is a perfect place for algae to bloom.,” Henderson says.
He adds that this particular type of algae is not harmful to humans or to animals, “It doesn’t look the best but it is not harmful.”
Jones Lake is still open to recreational activities, but Henderson adds, if you’re planning to canoe, it would be difficult to get a paddle through the algae itself.
With an increase in the presence of algae on bodies of water in recent years, Henderson says there is work being done to find solutions, “In terms of long term planning, algae is something on the radar of a lot of departments, because we know it is an issue that will persist.”
(Photo: Courtesy of Dexter Barry)
