Spill at Leamy Lake Beach in Gatineau, Que. ‘under control’: NCC

A sign informs swimmers that swimming is prohibited at Leamy Lake Beach in Gatineau, Que. following a spill earlier this week. (Peter Szperling/CTV News Ottawa)

You can now go canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding at Leamy Lake Park Beach, but swimming is still prohibited following a substance spill in the lake in Gatineau, Que.

The National Capital Commission closed Leamy Lake Park Beach on Tuesday due to a hydrocarbon spill in the water. Mitigation measures were put in place to limit the spill, including a boom barrier that absorbs the product.

Late Thursday afternoon, the NCC said the spill is “now under control” and the product has been absorbed.

Water activities are allowed to resume in Leamy Lake, but swimming remains prohibited due to poor water quality.

“In collaboration with our local and provincial partners, we investigated the source of the hydrocarbon spill in Leamy Lake,” the NCC said.

“Nothing observed on site allows the source of the product found on the surface of the water to be clearly identified. Investigators believe, however, that the quantity of the substance, which was minimal, does not pose a danger to human health.”

The swimming ban remains in effect due to the latest water quality test results at Leamy Lake Beach, according to the NCC.

“The laboratory will conduct new samples daily until the swimming water reaches a rating of A, B, or C after which the beach will reopen,” the NCC said.

A hydrocarbon spill typically refers to oil or petroleum products, such as gasoline or diesel fuel, spilling into the water.

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Ted Raymond