Lake Athabasca "Oil Slick" Caused By Algae Bloom

FORT CHIPEWYAN, Alta. – Lab tests say a mysterious oily sheen that has covered a long stretch of the Athabasca River in northeastern Alberta is most likely from algae.

Consultants hired by the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation say the algae bloom is probably the result of high water from record-breaking rainfall combined with unusually warm temperatures.

The scientists say dead fish floating on the river probably died as a result of oxygen starvation from the out-of-control algae growth.

Athabasca River Oil Spill Still Unconfirmed, But...

The Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (ESRD) suggests a sheen noticed on the river is "natural", but pictures have emerged.  And, I must day, it looks like some kind of petroleum product to me.

The Disaster You Haven't Heard About Yet?

Details are sparse so far on an oil spill reported in the Athabasca River near the Poplar Grove First Nation. Members of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation oil spill response team report seeing a 5 kilometer-wide oil slick spanning the width of the river. Stay tuned for details.

That was written last night.  As of this morning there is still no official confirmation that a spill took place.  Bad news if it happened.  Bad news if its someone's idea of a joke or a good way to fund-raise.