Danson Lake closed to water sports over water safety concerns (From News Shopper)
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Danson Lake closed to water sports over water safety concerns
11:11am Friday 14th September 2012 in News By Jim Palmer
HARMFUL algae has led to the closure of water sports on Danson Lake amid safety concerns.
The lake was closed by Bexley Council for immersive water sports such as sailing and canoeing as a precautionary measure on Friday last week (September 7) after water monitoring identified the presence of blue green algae.
The algae, Aphanisomenon, can cause sickness and irritation but does not normally present a significant hazard unless the numbers increase to high levels. Bexley Council said it is currently at a low level.
Voluntary water sports groups have been advised, while leaflets and posters were put up warning people not to bathe in the lake or let their dogs run through it.
Park staff have also reinforced the message.
The council said it is continuously monitoring the levels, which they expect to decline as temperatures and sunlight decreases.
A spokesman said: “We will not reopen the lake for immersive sports until we have confirmation that it is safe to do so."
