Interior Health closes Nicola Lake beaches due to harmful algae bloom

Jul 13, 2023 | 3:30 PM

MERRITT, B.C. — Interior Health has issued a beach closure for all of Nicola Lake because of a toxic algae bloom.

The closure was issued Thursday (July 13). It impacts the entire lake, including Monck Provincial Park.

Interior Health’s Environmental Public Health and Licensing department says the lake is now home to an ‘active toxin-producing cyanobacteria bloom.’

According to B.C.’s Ministry of Environment, cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, “are naturally occurring microscopic bacteria.”