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As temperatures rise across Alberta, agricultural officials are encouraging producers to keep a close eye on dugouts for signs of blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, which can pose serious health risks to livestock, pets, and people.
According to Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation, cyanobacteria can produce toxins under certain conditions, potentially leading to severe illness, organ damage, or even death if contaminated water is consumed.
Shawn Elgert, an agricultural water engineer with the province, says early identification and cautious management are key to protecting animals and maintaining water quality.
Blue-green algae may appear as a blue-green scum on the water’s surface, water resembling pea soup, fine suspended material similar to grass clippings, or jelly-like nodules that can be compressed into slime. While growth can begin at water temperatures below 20°C, warmer conditions generally accelerate its spread.
Officials advise producers who suspect cyanobacteria to seek assistance from a water specialist, remove livestock from affected dugouts, and restrict access until the water has been properly assessed. Wind can also concentrate algae in certain areas of a dugout, increasing toxin levels in localized pockets.
If cyanobacteria is confirmed, treatment options are available. Copper-based products registered for dugout use can help control blooms, but they may release toxins into the water as the bacteria break down. As a result, livestock should not be allowed to drink treated water for an extended period while the toxins naturally degrade in sunlight.
Follow-up treatments using products such as aluminum sulfate and hydrated lime may also help reduce nutrients that contribute to future blooms and improve long-term water quality.
Prevention remains the most effective strategy. Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation recommends constructing deeper dugouts with steeper sides to keep water cooler, reducing sediment buildup, avoiding locations where nutrient-rich runoff enters the water, and maintaining buffer strips or grassed waterways. Off-site watering systems, aeration, and water dyes may also help limit conditions that encourage cyanobacteria growth.
Officials further encourage producers to inspect dugouts carefully and safely, noting that cyanobacteria can move throughout the water column and may not always be visible at the surface. People working near dugouts should avoid inspecting alone and use appropriate safety equipment, including flotation devices where necessary.
With summer temperatures increasing, regular monitoring and proactive water management can help reduce risks and protect livestock throughout the season.
For more information about farm water resources, visit the Government of Alberta website at www.alberta.ca/farm-water-resources.
Information for this article was sourced from the Government of Alberta website.
