Should you—and your kids—go swimming in Alice Lake today?
Perhaps not.
The province is warning visitors to Alice Lake Provincial Park to be on the lookout for blue-green algae, otherwise known as cyanobacteria blooms.
These blooms can last days, weeks or months.
"While these are natural, it’s best to avoid direct contact with them as exposure to some algae species can result in health concerns," reads a provincial warning put out on Aug. 21.
"Recently, several floating clusters of algae have been noted on the lake surface. These have a jelly-like appearance, with colours ranging from bluish green to purple. These clusters may be found on the water’s surface, below the surface in shallow areas, or along the shoreline."
If you come into contact with the algae, it is advised that you rinse off with clean water from a tap, which is serviced by wells in the park, not the lake.
"The lake water is not recommended for drinking. Please use potable water for drinking and rinsing, which can be accessed from standpipes, drinking fountains and/or washrooms throughout the park,” the website continues.
For more information, The Squamish Chief reached out to the Ministry of Environment and Parks, which is responsible for monitoring water quality in lakes in B.C. A spokesperson said it encourages everyone “to follow advisories when issued and avoid swimming or drinking water in lakes with algae blooms. This goes for both people and pets.”
The ministry noted in its emailed statement that sometimes these blooms create toxins that may be harmful to wildlife, pets and people.
“Protecting the health of our waters here in British Columbia is extremely important to us,” the spokesperson said.
“BC Parks takes recommendations from the local health authority regarding algae-related health warnings, and would amplify any warnings on the parks webpage: Alice Lake Park | BC Parks.”
At the park on Aug. 25, there were paper signs posted to temporary orange posts near the water warning of the hazard of drinking the water and to avoid the algae, but they did not say not to swim in it.
A blue-green algae cluster seemed to be visible along the shore, but away from several people who were in the water while The Squamish Chief was there.
The algae warning is not unique to this summer. At just about this exact time last year, Vancouver Coastal Health put out a warning for the same thing at the park.
"A not suitable for swimming” advisory remains in place for Alice Lake near Squamish, due to a bloom of blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria," read a VCH alert published on Aug. 30, 2024.
As of Aug. 25, 2025, there was no such VCH warning published for Alice Lake.
The health authority says skin or eye exposure to Cyanobacteria can include rash, itching or blisters and conjunctivitis (pink eye).
Symptoms from consuming cyanobacterial toxins through drinking water may include: headaches, nausea, fever, sore throat, dizziness, stomach cramps, diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, paralysis, numbness, salivation, drowsiness, speech disturbances, muscle aches, mouth ulcers and blistering of the lips, VCH says.
Health authority investigating another site
Meanwhile, on Aug. 19, VCH posted that it was investigating the southern end of the Mamquam Blind Channel after a sample of water showed more E. coli than the acceptable limit, with 605 E. coli per 100 millilitres found, while 235/100mL is the limit.
"This level does not imply that the beach poses a health risk, and swimming is not restricted. An investigation may be initiated, with the purpose of identifying the cause(s) of the elevated sample result. Commonly known causes may include sewage discharges or animal and bird populations in the vicinity. Investigation outcomes will assist in mitigating future occurrences," the VCH site reads.
