The Capital Regional District is warning park users at Beaver and Elk lakes to keep their pets out of the water after pockets of blue-green algae have popped up along the shore.

The CRD Friday morning confirmed the presence of the toxic algae.

Larisa Hutcheson, the CRD's acting general manager for parks and community services, said signs notifying users of the algae will be posted around the park.

Blooms of blue-green algae, also known as pond scum, appeared on Elk Lake in winter 2009 and 2011. According to Health Canada, blue-green algae usually forms in "shallow, warm, slow-moving or still water."

Human health concerns regarding ingested blue-green algae include headaches, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.

Health Canada says animals can get extremely sick or die, as a result of ingesting blue-green algae.

For the most up-to-date water quality advisories for CRD lakes, visit .

kslavin@saanichnews.com