Where Is Whirling Disease Found?
If you enjoy paddling, fishing and building sandcastles at Johnson Lake in Banff National Park, you need to be aware of a pesky microscopic bacteria discovered there in 2016 and how to stop the spread of whirling disease to other bodies of water.
Tips To Stop The Spread Of Whirling Disease In Johnson Lake
Clean All Your Gear
- If you walked through any streams or bodies of water during your hike, be sure to remove all plant material, sand, and mud from the bottom of your hiking boots before you leave the area.
- Before you take any of your gear into another body of water, be sure to wash all items or equipment (paddles, fishing lures, water shoes, sand buckets — you get the idea) ideally with hot water (around 90 degrees Celsius – “HOT!”).
- If hot water is unavailable, high-pressure water will do
Drain The Water From Any Equipment
- Drain all the water, as best as you can, from rafts, sand pails, kayaks, into the same body of water
- Don’t drain it into a new body of water
Dry Out Your Equipment For 24 Hours
- After you have washed and cleaned everything
- Before you visit another body of water
Respect Restrictions Set By Parks Canada
- Alberta Parks or Parks Canada will prohibit water-based recreation in an affected area
- Restrictions will be posted on-line and at affected bodies of water
- Keep current on restrictions
Complete the Watercraft and Gear Certification Forms
- Many of the popular lakes now have Watercraft and Gear Certification Stations
- Complete the form and leave it at the station help parks monitor were watercraft has been
Don’t Forget to Wipe Fido’s Feet!
- If hiking with a dog, be sure to wipe your pet’s paws and body as well as dogs can easily spread the whirling disease to trails and other water bodies
- All of that fur is a magnet for the mud that houses the parasite!
- And wipe off the bottom of any shoes that have been in the water
Whirling Disease is Not Just in Banff
Initially, Parks Canada was hopeful that Johnson Lake was the only water body affected. Unfortunately, whirling disease continues to spread and has been discovered in the following four significant watersheds in Alberta:
- Bow River
- North Saskatchewan
- Old Man River
- Red Deer River
Even though whirling disease is benign to humans and other mammals, responsible hikers, paddlers and anglers should know about the disease and what we can do to help preserve the fish populations and the ecosystems around the trails that we love.
What Is Whirling Disease?
Whirling Disease Is A Microscopic Parasite
Whirling disease is caused by a microscopic parasite, Myxobolus cerebralis, that lives in the muddy bottom of lakes and rivers. It is transported when the mud gets disturbed and attaches to anything in the water at the time. This disease results in irreparable damage to both the skeleton and neurological pathways, causing the infected fish to “whirl in circles,” which makes it difficult for them to find or catch their food and escape predators.
Does whirling disease affect everyone?
It seems to only affect salmonid fish, such as Rainbow and West Slope Cutthroat Trout, the very fish that are most popular with anglers. Whirling disease does NOT affect humans or dogs – though as mentioned dogs can easily spread whirling disease!
Enjoy your water sports and remember to clean, drain and dry all equipment.
Don’t Forget Your National Parks Pass
Remember that when hiking in the Rockies, and Canadian Parks, you require a national Parks Canada Pass. Prepare before you go! Please feel free to reference my blog post on national Parks Passes in Canada, and how and where to get one.
Pick Up A Copy Of Take A Hike With Your Children
My sold out book, Take A Hike With Your Children, is now available on Amazon as an eBook. Pick up your copy today, and begin exploring the Rockies!
Happy Hiking!