The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has confirmed the presence of blue-green algae (BGA) in a water sample collected from Batwing Lake on August 28, 2026. Batwing Lake is located approximately 65 kms west of Thunder Bay off Boreal Road.

Water should be avoided whenever a BGA bloom is present, and for about 2 weeks after it has gone away. It is important to avoid:

- drinking the water;

- using it for household purposes; or

- swimming in it.

Community members are being invited to observe International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) with groups from across the Thunder Bay District at a public event this week.

The event, organized by the City of Thunder Bay Drug Strategy and Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU), takes place Wednesday, August 26 at Intercity Shopping Centre, in the north parking lot, from 11am to 2pm.

The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has confirmed the presence of blue-green algae (BGA) in a water sample collected at Hattie Cove on August 11, 2026. Hattie Cove is located within Pukaskwa National Park near Marathon.

Water should be avoided whenever a BGA bloom is present, and for about 2 weeks after it has gone away. It is important to avoid:

August 5, 2026 – The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has advised that a blue-green algae (BGA) bloom was reported on August 4, 2026. The bloom was observed at Dog Falls (Upper Cascades) on the Kaministiquia River above Little Dog Lake, and within Silver Falls Provincial Park.

Water should be avoided whenever a BGA bloom is present, and for about 2 weeks after it has gone away. It is important to avoid:

• drinking the water;

• using it for household purposes; or

• swimming in it.

The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has confirmed the presence of blue-green algae (BGA) in a water sample collected within a bay along the southern shoreline of Hawkeye Lake on July 29, 2026. Hawkeye Lake is located approximately 30 kilometers northwest of Thunder Bay.

Water should be avoided whenever a BGA bloom is present, and for about 2 weeks after it has gone away. It is important to avoid:

- drinking the water;

- using it for household purposes; or

- swimming in it.

The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has advised that a blue-green algae bloom was reported on July 25, 2026. The bloom was observed at Bolduc Bay on Dog Lake, approximately 7.5 kilometers northeast of Silver Falls Provincial Park.  Dog Lake is located approximately 45 kilometers northwest of Thunder Bay.

Water should be avoided whenever a BGA bloom is present, and for about 2 weeks after it has gone away. It is important to avoid:

- drinking the water;

- using it for household purposes; or

- swimming in it.

TBDHU is improving its infrastructure at 999 Balmoral St office to improve client access and the overall integrity of the property.

New sidewalks have been built recently to improve client access. The next phase will include resurfacing the accessible and general parking area to renew aging infrastructure and improve overall accessibility.

As wildfire smoke continues to affect air quality across the region, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) is encouraging residents to protect their family and their health by reducing their exposure to wildfire smoke.

(Thunder Bay, Ont.) The Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) continues to monitor the evolving wildfire situation and the heavy smoke affecting air quality across the region.

TBDHU extends its thoughts to everyone affected by these devastating circumstances and recognizes the significant challenges the wildfires are creating for individuals, families, communities, and emergency responders across the region.