Algae in the Lake
Published 13:27 on 15 Aug 2025
The Sailing Club Committee is aware of the Green Algae in the lake. We do not propose to revoke lake access at this stage, but would like members to be advised of the risks, so they can make a decision on whether to access the lake for themselves.
The RYA provides guidance here, from where a more in-depth report can be downloaded, but a short extract from this report is shown below
Please do not take any risk with your health.
We also draw members attention to the external shower which is on the outside of the clubhouse, by the car park, which can be used to wash off any algae before entering the club house.
WHO IS AT RISK AND WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Human health risk from exposure to blue-green algae toxins can arise through swallowing or inhaling water containing the algae and through prolonged direct contact with exposed parts of the body including the skin, and sensitive areas such as ears, eyes, mouth and throat.
Different groups of water users are at different levels of risk, depending on the amount of time they are likely to spend in/close to the affected water.
Participants in descending order of likely risk are as follows:
- Swimmers, paddlers, children playing at the water's edge, dogs, other animals including some farm animals, fishermen using the bank and water's edge.
- Windsurfers whose level of competence puts them at risk in the prevailing wind conditions of becoming immersed in or blowing into areas of algal scum.
- Dinghy sailors, catamaran sailors, canoeists and windsurfers competent for the prevailing conditions.
- Other boat users and fishermen fishing from a boat or pontoon.
Essentially the more likely you are to come into direct contact with the algal scum, the greater the risk of effects of exposure.
Symptoms of those affected could be easily confused with a range of other illnesses so it is important to be aware of the risk of blue-green algae as a contributory factor. Swallowing and/or inhalation can result in mouth and nose ulcers, blistering of the lips, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscular pains, sore throat, dry cough, headaches, hay fever symptoms, dizziness and fatigue. Contact with the ears and eyes can result in irritation and exposure of the skin can lead to allergic or irritated reactions such as skin rashes, lesions and blisters. Bathing suits and wetsuits can aggravate these effects as the cells can accumulate next to the skin and be broken down through agitation, thus releasing the toxins. Severe cases could include seizures, liver failure, respiratory arrest and even death, although there are no confirmed cases of human deaths from blue-green algae toxins.
The severity of the illness is related to the amount of water ingested and the concentrations of the toxins.
