Ma-Me-O Beach - 6th Street

Ma-Me-O Beach, Alberta

Managed by North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper

Ma-Me-O Beach on Pigeon Lake is one of several popular beaches on this lake. Ma-Me-O is the Cree word for "white pigeon". The beach and day use area at Ma-me-o is known for its white, plentiful sand and excellent amenities such as a playground and picnicing areas. The swimming area is shallow and the waters are usually clear and warm with more algal growth in the months of July and August. Ma-me-o competes with Sylvan Beach as one of the better "scenes" for younger people but still has a great family atmosphere.

This is an ideal place to bring a picnic and enjoy the soft sand that this beach offers. Look for the local ice cream shop located at the main beach entrance, it’s a sweet way to finish off the day.

WATER QUALITY

No data available
Special Status
This status is based on the latest sample, taken on June 19th, 2017. North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper updates the status of this beach as soon as test results become available. These results were posted to Swim Guide on at

For water quality icon legend, click:

CURRENT WEATHER

-17°C

Mostly clear

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MONITORING FREQUENCY

SOURCE INFORMATION

This site is usually sampled on a weekly basis for thermotolerant coliforms and at varying frequencies for cyanobacteria and microcystins (blue-green algae) during the summer months.

Water quality is monitored in accordance with standards outlined in a previous version of the General Nuisance and Sanitation Regulation, under Alberta’s Public Health Act. New standards are currently being developed.

Thermotolerant coliforms serve as an indicator of faecal contamination, which poses a human health risk. Guidelines recommend that a water quality advisory be posted when tests for thermotolerant coliforms over the preceding 30 days produce results with a geometric mean greater than 200 colony forming units per 100 millilitres of water (200 CFU/100ml). An advisory may also be issued when any single sample exceeds 400 CFU/100ml, although this may first lead to further investigation.

When a Water Quality Advisory is issued, a notice is erected at the beach indicating that the location is unfit for swimming or bathing. In addition, a Water Quality Advisory is issued through the AHS website, local media, and Swim Guide. Swim Guide posts all advisories that are announced, but is not able to directly share monitoring data for this beach on an ongoing basis. Therefore, the swim icon will appear grey, and any posted advisories will appear on the beach page. An advisory is rescinded once water quality meets the above standards.

In addition to thermotolerant coliforms, AHS monitors blue-green algae throughout the swimming season. Algal blooms are monitored through visual observation and through testing for cyanobacteria and microcystins (toxins produced by blue-green algae).

AHS issues a Blue-Green Algae Advisory when a bloom is identified. Advisories are posted online to www.albertahealthservices.ca/1926.asp, circulated by local media, and posted to Swim Guide. Appropriate signage is posted around the water body (public beaches, access points, campgrounds, etc). These advisories remain in place for the duration that the health risk persists.

WATER QUALITY GRAPH