One of several property owners on Kahshe Lake who reported the presence of an algal bloom earlier this week has just received confirmation from the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) that the bloom was a Blue-Green (Cyanobacteria) bloom. The Ministry has notified the Simcoe-Muskoka Health Unit and an Active Alert has now been posted on their website (link below): (https://www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/Topics/SafeWater/bluegreenalgae_copy1.aspx#f0106af6-4016-47ad-9deb-8e262ab6e3b5

I have been in touch with the MECP and although the level of specific toxins typically associated with this type of algal bloom has not been quantified, the Duty Officer did confirm that there was evidence of elevated levels. 

I will keep you posted when I have more information, but for now, it's best to avoid contact with or consumption of the water by humans and pets in the vicinity of any blooms that are showing up. For more specific health related information, please refer to the SMHU like above.  

Ron Pearson

Kahshe and Bass Lake Steward