Help Save our Lake
Nicola Lake is one of the Nicola Valley's most treasured ecosystems — home to fish, birds, and people who love and depend on it.
Nicola Lake Algae Bloom Update June 15, 2026
We wanted to share a quick update following a recent algae bloom report submitted to the Province through AlgaeWatch.
Based on photos provided, the provincial AlgaeWatch Team has indicated that a cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) bloom appears to be occurring in parts of Nicola Lake. Some is decaying from a bloom 2 weeks ago as well.
Annual Occurrence
Nicola Lake experiences algae blooms each year. Several species of cyanobacteria naturally occur in the lake.
How Blooms Look
Blooms may look green while active. As algae dies and decays, wind pushes it to shore where it may appear white, turquoise, or blue-green.
Timing & Duration
Blooms often happen mid-summer through early fall, but can occur any time of year and may last days to weeks.
At this stage, visible algae does not automatically mean toxins are present, but some cyanobacteria can produce toxins and it is not possible to determine toxicity by sight alone.
The good news is that Nicola Lake is receiving increasing scientific attention and monitoring. In addition to provincial lake monitoring, expanded stewardship and testing efforts are underway this year, including work supported by Guardians of Nicola Lake and Watershed Society.
Our focus remains on supporting science-based monitoring, improving understanding of what drives blooms, and helping build practical, long-term solutions for lake health.
📷 If you see bloom activity, photos and observations are always helpful. You can send photos with location, date and time to [email protected]. We will submit information to BC Algae Watch.
💙 Thank you to everyone helping care for Nicola Lake.
This vital freshwater reservoir supports diverse flora and fauna, including a thriving cold-water fishery with Rainbow Trout, and provides critical habitat for numerous bird species, mammals, and aquatic insects. Beyond its ecological significance, Nicola Lake holds immense recreational value for fishing, boating, and swimming, and is deeply significant to Indigenous communities, integral to their heritage and traditional practices.
Our Mission
The Guardians Of Nicola Lake and Watershed Society's mission is to investigate, analyze and protect the quality and health of Nicola Lake and the Nicola Lake Watershed
Growing Threats & The Need for Protection
Environmental Pressures
Nicola Lake faces growing pressures from decades of accumulated sediment and nutrient runoff, agricultural pollution, and shoreline development.
Climate Change & Invasive Species
The lake’s ecosystem is strained by the impacts of climate change, the threat of invasive species, and general overuse.
Critical Protection
Protecting Nicola Lake is a critical community imperative, ensuring vital ecological services, preserving recreational opportunities, and honoring cultural heritage.
Proactive Conservation
Proactive Conservation efforts are essential to mitigate current threats and build resilience for the future of this treasured ecosystem.
📲 Stay Connected
🧪 Assessing Nicola Lake's Water Quality
The Guardians conduct comprehensive testing to monitor the lake's health, focusing on key parameters such as water clarity, dissolved oxygen levels, temperature, and nutrient loads.
Algae blooms are challenging to track because they shift location with wind and water currents, changing rapidly in response to temperature and nutrient conditions.
The Guardians of Nicola Lake and Watershed Society does not make technical or health-related assessments, but rather shares information from Interior Health as promptly and accurately as reasonably possible. We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the report. Individuals should use their own judgment regarding personal safety and understand that the information reflects conditions only on the date of testing in specific locations.
For the most recent water quality advisories from Interior Health, check back here.
Scroll down for more information on Toxic Algae Blooms and how to recognize them.
Secchi Depth
Assessing water clarity through Secchi disk readings, which measure the depth at which the disk is no longer visible.
Nutrient Testing
Analyzing water samples for critical nutrient levels, specifically phosphorus and nitrogen, to gauge potential eutrophication risks.
Temperature Probe
Recording precise water temperatures at varying depths to observe seasonal stratification and its impact on aquatic ecosystems.
Our Level 3 monitoring program covers strategic locations in vital sites across the lake.
🦠 Toxic Algae: Know the Signs
What to Look For
- Bright blue-green or pea-soup colored water
- Thick scum or foam on the surface
- Musty or earthy smell
- Dead fish near shore
- Looks like green paint or pea soup
- May form streaks, clumps, or surface scum
- Often accumulates along shorelines or bays
Pet Safety Warning
"If in doubt, stay out!"
Keep pets away from discolored water and scum. Dogs are especially vulnerable to toxic algae poisoning.
Blooms can move around the lake depending on wind and currents, so conditions may change quickly.
Contact with toxic algae blooms—particularly those caused by cyanobacteria (blue-green algae)—can pose health risks to both humans and animals. Here’s a concise summary:
🚨 Human Health Risks
- Skin & Eye Irritation: Direct contact can cause rashes, blisters, eye redness, and irritation.
- Respiratory Issues: Inhaling spray, mist, or vapors from affected water can trigger coughing, sore throat, or asthma-like symptoms.
- Gastrointestinal Illness: Swallowing contaminated water may lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever.
- Liver & Nervous System Effects: Some cyanotoxins (like microcystins and anatoxin-a) can damage the liver or affect the nervous system, causing dizziness, confusion, or muscle weakness in severe exposures.
- Long-Term Risks: Repeated low-level exposure is under study but may contribute to liver disease and neurodegenerative conditions.
🐶 Animal & Livestock Risks
- Severe Toxicity: Pets (especially dogs) and livestock are highly susceptible—ingesting contaminated water can lead to rapid poisoning.
- Symptoms in Animals: Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures, difficulty breathing, or sudden death.
- High Fatality Rate: Even small amounts of toxic algae can be lethal within hours.
💧 Safety Precautions
- Avoid swimming, wading, or boating through visible blooms or scummy water.
- Keep pets and livestock away from affected water.
- Do not use contaminated water for drinking, cooking, or irrigating food crops.
- Report suspected blooms to local health or environmental authorities.
Boating Etiquette for a
Healthy Lake
Boating is a huge part of Nicola Lake life. Responsible boating helps protect water quality and shoreline habitat.
- Slow Down in Shallow Areas Boat propellers can stir up sediment and nutrients, which can contribute to algae growth. This is especially true for wakeboarding/surfing. Stay in water more than 20 feet deep and well away from shorelines.
- Reduce Wake Near Shore Large wakes can cause shoreline erosion and habitat damage.
- Respect No-Wake Zones These areas protect fish habitat and shoreline stability.
- Avoid Circling in One Area Repeated boat traffic in shallow areas can resuspend lake bottom sediments.
- Prevent Fuel Spills Maintain engines and refuel carefully to prevent contamination. Small changes in boating behaviour make a big difference for lake health.
❤️ Get Involved
Help the Guardians of Nicola Lake make a difference in protecting Nicola Lake and its watershed.
Become a Member
Join our community of dedicated lake stewards and receive updates on water quality and events
Volunteer Your Time
Help with water testing, shoreline restoration, or community education programs
Support Our Work
Donations fund testing, signage and education. We work with biologists who guide our work.
Your contribution helps us:
Purchase water testing kits and equipment
Hire Biologists to do guide our work
Provide education
Campaign to decision-makers
📲 Stay Connected.
Website: www.guardiansofnicola.ca
Email: [email protected]
Thanks to our Corporate Sponsors!
