Pollution closes popular area beach

ELEVATED LEVELS OF FECAL COLIFORM AT WRITING-ON-STONE

Polluted water has once again closed one of southern Alberta’s most popular beaches. And with the heat wave continuing, anglers have been asked to confine their efforts to the early morning.

Elevated levels of fecal coliforms have been found in the Milk River at the beach at Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park, health officials report. So campers and visitors are warned not to swim or wade there until further notice.

At current levels of pollution, they say skin, ear and eye infections may result from contact with the water. Alberta Health Services also reminds campers not to drink untreated lake water because water-borne organisms — including fecal coliforms — can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

With higher than normal temperatures and lower river flows, Alberta Environment officers say fish are experiencing high stress. These conditions are threatening the health of Alberta’s fish populations and anglers should follow safe handling procedures related to catch-andrelease fishing to minimize fish mortality, they say.

When fishing in zones along the Rockies’ eastern slopes (zones ES1 and 2), anglers are also asked to restrict their activities to stocked ponds and lakes, and fish between midnight and 2 p.m.

They should also try to minimize the handling time, and release fish as quickly as possible

Fishers are encouraged to download the Alberta Rivers app to get up-to-date information on flows and advisories for basins in their area. Anglers are also advised to visit the MyWildAlberta website for information on changing water conditions.