Aerators helping Killarney Lake algae problem

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This article was published 09/08/2019 (2399 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

KILLARNEY — In August 2018, aerators were installed in Killarney Lake in an effort to combat the toxic blue-green algal blooms that flourished in warm weather.

A year later, conditions are much improved, according to Betty Sawatzky, the chair of the Killarney Lake Action Committee.

Sawatzky told The Sun that in previous years, beaches along the lake frequently had to be shut down through July because algae concentrations made the water unsafe.

“That’s when temperatures are the warmest and a hot spell often brings another bloom,” Sawatzky said.

This year, swimmers and boaters have been able to take advantage of the lake during the hot weather affecting Westman.

“You didn’t want to be in the water in the past because that blue-green algae is toxic,” Sawatzky said. “It burns, it’s itchy, it tingles on the skin.”

Sixty bubbler units were set up near the Killarney-Turtle Mountain Water Treatment Plant. The location of those units is marked by a gentle circular motion at the water’s surface.

The idea to set up aerators in Killarney Lake came from a group at Pelican Lake that saw success in fighting their own algae problem with their own setup. Some of the same people helped organize and install the devices in Killarney.

Decades ago, the blue-green algae in the lake was treated with doses of copper sulphate-containing bluestone, but environmental regulations now prevent that.

While a sign asks boaters not to drop anchors near the aerators, Sawatzky said that they don’t really disrupt activity in the area. She said that she has paddled her kayak over them without issue.

The aerators even ran throughout last winter. The bubblers prevent ice from forming around them, but ice fishers set up in other areas.

Dead fish could sometimes be seen washing up on shore in previous years, which Sawatzky said hasn’t happened this year as far as she’s aware. Apparently non-native fish have been spotted in the lake recently, including carp and bluegill, a flat fish.

“We think somebody brought it in from Lake Metigoshe,” said Sawatzky. “You’re not supposed to do that, because it can upset an entire ecosystem.”

While conditions have improved over last year, Sawatzky said that there’s still a chance that the blue-green algae could return under the right conditions.

If the current aerator set up isn’t enough to solve the problem, more could be installed in other parts of the lake. But for now, the people of Killarney are enjoying the unrestricted use of their lake.

» cslark@brandonsun.com

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