Takysie Lake, BC Faces Toxic Blue‑Green Algae Bloom

Northern Health and British Columbia's Ministry of Environment and Parks have confirmed a cyanobacteria (blue‑green algae) bloom in Takysie Lake, about 40 km south of Burns Lake. Since early July two suspected cases of cyanobacteria poisoning in domestic animals have been reported.

Public health advisories advise people not to swim, wade, boat or fish in the water, not to drink untreated water (boiling does not remove toxins), and to keep pets and livestock away. Signs along the shoreline warn of potential skin irritation, gastrointestinal symptoms, muscle weakness, fever, and in severe cases liver or kidney damage.

Takysie Lake Resort owners Danielle and Stephen Irvine‑Andrews are monitoring the shoreline daily but have not yet observed visible blooms. The resort's water supply is under a "Do Not Consume" order, and the owners are trucking in drinking water from Burns Lake while following health officials' recommendations.