I don't think they released any information over the winter months. The last advisory from the park regarding Blue Green Algae was the presence of Algae in Opeongo and Lake of Two River. That is in addition to the problems in Dickson, Hardy Bay and Ryan.

That's too bad, hopefully it will run its course at some point. I saw on the friends of Algonquin Park website that they took sediment samples in 2015 to determine if it was part of a natural cycle but I haven't seen any results posted. Dickson was one of my favorite lakes in the park and I'd like to spend some time there again, shame about Opeongo and others as well, lets hope it doesn't get too wide spread.

We paddled through Dickson lake from the 90m portage of Hardy's Bay/Lavieille to the 4895m to Round Island in mid August, stopping at a few campsites and taking in the lake in a meandering path to take in as much as we could of the lake while also trying to be as careful as we could.  We carried a 20 litre dry bag and our 4 litre filter bag full of water from 'northern' Lavieille juuussst in case we ended up wind bound, or something unexpected happened. 

I was expecting large 'blooms' of algae floating on the surface of the water like I've seen on Lake Erie in the past. We saw no visible sign, though I'm certain our visual inspection and sample size of one doesn't mean things have cleared up by any means.  The water 'appeared' to be very clear in every section we visited.  In any case, the campsites we stopped at certainly appear like they are enjoying the break!

We visited Dickson again this year (2020) paddling the southern end from the Bonfield portage to the Little Dickson portage mid August. 

The water appeared cloudy with an iridescent blue-green colour.  The difference was noticeable compared to our visit in 2017. Perhaps (or perhaps not) related, there was a stale musty smell.  It wasn't very pleasant - we did not linger.
 

I hope it has cleared up. I’ve been hoping to take my boys on that loop but have been waiting patiently for the all clear. Plenty not other places to go In the mean time

ShawnD wrote:

Hmm,.just noticed Ryan lake is bookable this year. Dickson still closed.. 

Ryan I think is new to be open.. eh? or did I miss it open back up last year.?

Still shows closed on the F.O.A.P. website but that does not really mean anything. 
Spent a Saturday night there I think the week before they closed it. Boiled lake water for cooking and coffee and never had a problem.

 

Fully bookable on the reservation site.

Just hoping that this bodes well for Dickson opening up at some point.

Having gone thru Dickson in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and this year again. I have got to say the water quality seems to have done a 99% turnaround compared to the peak algae bloom. It looked as clear as a spring-fed lake, (maybe not whiskey jack, but definitely not tannin stained).