Pet owners have been warned to keep their animals away from drinking or swimming in the water at Yerrabi Pond following a blue-green algal bloom.
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Blue-green algae can make pets very ill or even result in death.
While the Gungahlin waterway is open to rowing, fishing, boating, canoeing and other secondary-contact recreation, Access Canberra has asked the public to take precautions to avoid exposure, particularly to algal scum.
People should avoid these activities unlesss they are experienced and know the risks if contact with algae should occur.
The ACT government also recommends being careful not to make primary skin contact with the algae and use shower facilities with suitable water to wash afterward.
Exposure to algal scum, in particular, should be avoided, but any clothing that has been in the water should be washed to remove any blue-green algae residue.
The area will remain closed to primary contact until further notice but algae levels can change quickly.
Water users should look for algae warnings signs which indicate the current algae alert level at all public access areas.
Anyone concerned about possible symptoms of blue-green algae exposure following water exposure should contact their doctor.
