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Cyanobacteria

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Lake Welch Beach State Park Closed Due To Blue-Green Algae Lake Welch Beach State Park Closed Due To Blue-Green Algae
Lake Welch Beach State Park Closed Due To Blue-Green Algae A popular lake and state park in the Hudson Valley is closed due to high levels of blue-green algae. Harriman State Park in Rockland County has closed Lake Welch Beach, the picnic grounds, and the public boat launch until further notice due to the harmful algae bloom, said officials with the state parks department. The algae have affected all of Lake Welch, officials said. "The closures are necessary to protect public health and safety," the department said. "Visitors should seek alternate locations for swimming and picnicking." Blue-green algae is a type of bacteria called cyanobacteria.…

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by Kathy Reakes
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CLOSED! Bacteria Levels In Greenwood Lake Are 10X Above State Health Standard CLOSED! Bacteria Levels In Greenwood Lake Are 10X Above State Health Standard
Closed! Bacteria Levels In Greenwood Lake Are 10X Above State Health Standard Greenwood Lake is New Jersey’s fourth to contain a harmful algae bloom this summer. Bacteria levels from the HAB are nearly 10 times higher than the state health standard, water samples taken Monday show. Cyanobacteria levels from the New Jersey side of the lake were 212,000 cells per milliliter (state standard is 20,000 cells per milliliter), DEP lab results show. The lowest sample taken showed 90,000 cells per milliliter, and that was taken from the middle section of the lake. The northern section showed 61,000 and Browns Point, a park on the West Milford lake, was 148,000. Water s…

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by Cecilia Levine
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CLOSED: Algae Bloom Shuts Swartswood Lake State Park Swimming Area CLOSED: Algae Bloom Shuts Swartswood Lake State Park Swimming Area
Closed: Algae Bloom Shuts Swartswood Lake State Park Swimming Area The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has temporarily suspended swimming at Swartswood State Park due to a suspected harmful algae bloom. Visitors are instructed not to swim, wade, play in or drink the water in the swimming area at the Sussex County park.  Pets and animals should also refrain from any contact with the water, and fish caught from the area should not be eaten, the DEP said. Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), are naturally present in streams and lakes, and are responsible for the majority harmful algae blooms, the DEP said. They can produce toxins tha…

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by Cecilia Levine