7 May 2009

High levels of toxic blue-green algae have required most of Lake Burley Griffin to be closed.

The following areas are closed to recreation activities that involve any contact with the water (swimming, bathing, canoeing, boating or rowing):

• East Basin
• Central Basin
• West Basin
• West Lake

The following areas are closed to recreation activities that involve immersion in the water (swimming):

• Tarcoola Reach
• Yarramundi Reach

All swimming areas in Lake Burley Griffin are closed. The public are advised to avoid deliberate contact with lake water in these areas and to take precautionary measures such as fresh water wash-down following any contact with lake water.

Closure notices are in place where contact with lake water poses an elevated health risk.

Ferry services will continue to operate as normal.

An advertisement will appear in the public notices section of the Canberra Times tomorrow.

Weekly updates are available here.