Water conditions at Echo Dale could cause swimmer’s itch

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on August 14, 2025.

Hatters with an itch to swim at Echo Dale Regional Park may want to look elsewhere to scratch it.

The city announced Wednesday that parks and recreation staff had found the presence of aquatic life that can produce swimmer’s itch in the Echo Dale swim lake and boat lake.

They say staff are working to further treat the water in the swim lake to reduce the presence of the organisms. There are signs posted on site and residents can still enter the water.

Swimmer’s itch is a rash people may get from shallow, warm water, and it can appear in outdoor bodies of water with the presence of warmer weather. The rash isn’t dangerous or contagious, the city says, just itchy.

Those who contract swimmer’s itch see it typically disappear within a week and can treat it by putting cool, wet cloths on the skin. Calamine lotion on the skin and oatmeal baths are also remedies for the rash, according to Alberta Health Services.

Those who do swim at Echo Dale are encouraged to shower and towel off immediately after to reduce the chance of getting the rash. The city reminds residents the water is safe to swim in but also reminds that there will be free public swimming at both Hill Pool and Strathcona Pool, courtesy of the Medicine Hat Kinsmen Club.

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