An algae bloom in Langford Lake has city officials cautioning people and those with pets to stay out of the lake, due to concerns over toxicity.

The bloom began in mid-December, despite the use last summer of a new aerator installed to control these types of situations.

The 4,627-kilogram device was put in place in August and replaced a much smaller one installed in 1985. The aerator was turned off less than two months later, since the lake generally produces enough oxygen on its own in cooler months.

B次元官网网址淭he aerator may not eliminate (blooms) completely, but it will help with it,B次元官网网址� said Langford parks department spokesperson Yari Nielsen.

Blooms occur naturally in fall and winter and happen when the lake B次元官网网址渢urns over,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淪o many nutrients come to the top of the lake.B次元官网网址�

While parks staff noticed an improvement last summer with the new aerator, it wasnB次元官网网址檛 running long enough to make a difference in the winter bloom, Nielsen said.

This yearB次元官网网址檚 plan is to run the device from mid-spring until fall, he added.

B次元官网网址淭he new aerator was installed because the oxygen was so low. ItB次元官网网址檚 already made a big difference. The fish are more active.B次元官网网址�

Before it was installed, he said, B次元官网网址渁ll of the big fish would hang out in one zone.B次元官网网址�

charla@goldstreamgazette.com