Expert predicts bad year for algae in Lake Winnipeg

A scientist who monitors the health of Lake Winnipeg expects algae tocause abig problemthis summer.

The latest satellite images of Lake Winnipeg show widespread algae blooms in the north basin and farther south than is normal for this time of year.

Greg McCullough, a biologist at the University of Manitoba, expects the warmer weather will encourage the growth of more algae this summer.

He says it will be spurred on by plentiful nutrients in the water, such as nitrogen and phosphorous. Those nutrients came off the land during heavy rain and spring runoff earlier this year.

"It's been moving upwards gradually through the lake and is probably reaching into the southern part or parts of the north basin now," McCullough said. "Given that, everything suggests to me that this will be a really bad year in the north basin for algae."

There have been large blooms in previous years, but usually not until later in the summer.

Scientists warn the health of Lake Winnipeg is failing because of the proliferation of blue-green algae that can kill fish and harm other wildlife.

In recent years, the province has vowed to reduce nutrient emissions into the lake by limiting runoff from farmers' fields and adding pollution control measures to Winnipeg's sewage treatment system.