The Nashwaak Watershed

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Cyanobacteria

Cyanobacteria bloom in Lake Erie

Cyanobacteria are a phylum of aquatic bacteria that obtain their energy from the sun (through photosynthesis). They are often called “blue-green algae” but they are not algae, they are bacteria. They are a natural and essential part of our rivers and lakes and have existed for billions of years. Cyanobacteria are not normally visible, but with the right conditions (warm temperatures, sunlight, flow, and food – nutrients) populations can grow quickly and clump together to form what is called a bloom.


While not all cyanobacteria are harmful, some can produce toxins (cyanotoxins) that are harmful to humans. If you swim in water containing toxins, you may experience skin, eye, and/ or throat irritation. More serious effects, such as gastrointestinal illness, can occur if toxins are consumed.

Surface Blooming Cyanobacteria

Surface blooming cyanobacteria are what people commonly think of when they hear cyanobacteria bloom. They can look different depending on the size of the bloom and species of cyanobacteria. They are most likely to form in warm, slow moving water like lakes and bays.

These blooms can produce cyanotoxins. Most commonly, they produce microcystin which is known to cause skin irritation, gastrointestinal illness, and can cause more severe illness if ingested.

How to Spot a Bloom?

  • Blooms most commonly look like green or blue-green scum along the surface of the water but other colours are possible. If the bloom is thick it may appear as though paint or hydroseed has been spilled on the water. Wind/waves can cause blooms to accumulate along the shore.
  • When a bloom is forming, or wind/wave action has dispersed the bloom, the water can appear cloudy. The water may also appear clear with small green or blue-green globules (balls) or flecks suspended in it.
  • Fresh blooms can smell like newly mown grass and older blooms can have a foul smell.
  • Blooms can appear and disappear quickly

The NB Department of Health issues an advisory if a bloom is noted in a waterbody. Advisories help to inform local recreational water users, so that they can make informed decisions on water use in the affected area.  Individuals should avoid swimming and any other recreational water-related activities in areas with blue-green algae blooms.

To learn more about the health impacts and what you can do to protect yourself visit gnb.ca/algae.

Benthic Cyanobacteria

Benthic cyanobacteria may form mats along the bottom of flowing streams and rivers. Benthic mats contain a mixture of cyanobacteria and algae. Unlike a surface bloom, these mats can be present in water that is clear. Some species of benthic cyanobacteria can produce neurotoxins called anatoxins. Human poisonings are unlikely as most people are unlikely to ingest mat material. These toxins can cause skin irritation, gastrointestinal issues, and/or numbness or tingling of fingertips and around the mouth if ingested.

Dogs and wildlife are attracted to the scent of decaying mat material and are at a greater risk of poisoning as they are more likely to ingest fatal doses.

How to Spot a Benthic Mat?

  • Mats are clumps of vegetation that can appear as scum on rocks, mud, or other vegetation along the bottom of the stream or river. They can be dark brown, black, or dark green.
  • Mats can also have a spongy appearance as they float to the surface.
  • On the shoreline, mats become dry and can appear light brown or grey. Dried out, washed up mat material may still contain cyanotoxins.
Cyanobacteria can also grow as mats on the river’s substrate

What to do if you see a cyanobacteria bloom

  • Do not swim or engage in any other recreational activity that may involve contact with water (e.g., water-skiing) in areas where a bloom is observed.
  • Keep children, pets and livestock away. They may be more at risk of becoming ill.
  • Do not drink the lake water. Boiling the water will not remove toxins.

For more information, visit these links:

Cyanobacteria InfographicDownload

ACAP Saint John

NB Department of Health FAQs,

Health Canada,

Conservation Council Article from 2018

CBC Interview with Dr. Janice Lawrence

Part 1 Cyanobacteria Panel of Experts

Part 2 Cyanobacteria Panel of Experts

Part 3 Cyanobacteria Panel of Experts

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Recent News

Keep up the good work on Nashwaak

March 30, 2023

Nashwaak group to monitor salmon after dam removal

March 30, 2023

We’re hiring!

February 1, 2023

To protect or retreat: Scores of homes at risk of erosion

January 30, 2023

NWAI on Twitter

@ASDWLimelight @ASDWLimelight @MusicAsdw Check it out

- 102 days ago

Mr. Woodcock's talented gr 12 FHS music class joined us at Marysville Flats this week! We talked climate change and floodplain restoration. We're excited to hear what they create from their Nashwaak River trip. Kudos to the NB Dept of Ed for supporting this awesome experience! https://t.co/6nGyCy7XBP

- 103 days ago

Thanks for supporting this outdoor learning opportunity. Come visit anytime. It was a pleasure to spend time talking about water, climate change and floodplain restoration. @ASD_West @ASDWLimelight @FHSkats @CityFredGov @CityFredRec #eaunbwater #mynashwaak https://t.co/ALhfzSS123

- 105 days ago

Thanks @mla_mike for leading crown land conservation! https://t.co/ObSdrLvBcq

- 107 days ago

@Andrew__Holland @mla_mike @Gov_NB @NCC_CNC Excellent work!

- 107 days ago

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Nashwaak Watershed Association Inc.

Nashwaak Watershed Association Inc.

Nashwaak Watershed Association Inc.

22 hours ago

Nashwaak Watershed Association Inc.
A big thanks to everyone involved! On Tuesday a grateful Leo Hayes Envirothon Club received a Scott's Nursery gift card for their new pollinator garden project. The funds were raised at the recent Pollinator Gardening Workshop we hosted in partnership with Scott's and Nature NB. The group is so pleased with the donation and enthusiastically shared with us their many plans for a thriving native pollinator garden at the school. The space will benefit students and wildlife alike, incorporating native edibles and beautiful flowering plants to support local pollinators. These students are intelligent, considerate and inspiring and we can't wait to help out with the garden when they begin breaking ground. We foresee many fun collaborations in our future, stay tuned ! ##pollinatorgarden #youngleaders #community #MyNashwaak ... See MoreSee Less

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Nashwaak Watershed Association Inc.

4 days ago

Nashwaak Watershed Association Inc.
Want to learn how to manage your forest to benefit wildlife and species at risk? Join NWAI and instructors Gareth Davies and Julie Henderson (Maritime College of Forest Technology) to find out about best management practices for supporting wildlife habitat in actively managed forests. See eventbrite for details and to register: www.eventbrite.ca/e/managing-forests-for-wildlife-tickets-596772682157 The cost for this workshop is $20.00, which comes with a membership to the Nashwaak Watershed Association (members can attend for $10.00). Questions? Please contact Kate Turner - (506) 609-7000, forest@nashwaakwatershed.ca#forestcapitalofcanada #eauNBwater #forestmanagement #MyNashwaak ... See MoreSee Less

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Nashwaak Watershed Association Inc.

7 days ago

Nashwaak Watershed Association Inc.
Over the past few weeks, the NWAI has been gathering ice monitoring data for GNB’s River Watch Program. Since the first week of March, we have been monitoring conditions on the Nashwaak River twice weekly at 9 sites. This week, conditions varied along the river, with downstream sites remaining almost completely frozen over, while sites further upstream were around 90% open. Pictured above are our Stanley, Taymouth and Barker’s Point sites. As river ice continues to break-up, keep your eye on the helpful resources provided by GNB’s River Watch program and NB Emergency Measures Organization (NBEMO). #rivericemonitoring #riverwatch #nbflood ... See MoreSee Less

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Contact Us

Mail:
Nashwaak Watershed Association Inc.
P.O. Box 314, Station “A”
Fredericton, NB
E3B 4Y2

Office:
181 Westmorland Street
Fredericton, NB
E3B 3L6
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Phone: 506 447-9699
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