MAHOPAC, N.Y.—Beaches at Sycamore Park (Long Pond) and Lake Secor are among nine beaches recently ordered closed by the Putnam County Department of Health due to harmful algae blooms. On its website, the health department listed the beaches and dates of closure.
Health officials are expected to retest the water this early this week.
Health officials said results “reflect samples collected from regulated swimming areas only and may not be indicative of conditions in other parts of the lake.”
Lake Secor Beach was closed on July 8 due to elevated bacteria levels; Sycamore Park Beach was closed on July 10 for the same reason. Other local closures include:
Barger Pond Beach (Putnam Valley) — Closed July 9 due to elevated bacteria levels and harmful algae blooms.
Continental Village Beach (Cortland Lake, Philipstown) — Closed July 9 due to elevated bacteria levels.
Brookdale Gardens (Putnam Valley) — Closed July 13 due to elevated bacteria levels.
North Beach (Lake Peekskill, Putnam Valley) — Closed July 10 due to elevated bacteria levels and harmful algae blooms.
Singers Beach (Lake Peekskill, Putnam Valley) — Closed July 1 due to harmful algae blooms.
Northview Beach (Oscawana Lake, Putnam Valley) — Closed July 9 due to elevated bacteria levels.
Lookout Manor Beach (Oscawana Lake, Putnam Valley) — Closed July 9 due to elevated bacteria levels.
Private beaches are not included in the closures. Residents are encouraged to test their water before swimming.
According to health officials, “blue-green algae” is the popular name for a group of tiny, single-celled organisms, or cyanobacteria.
Blue-green algae occur naturally in lakes, streams and oceans, but some species can produce harmful toxins.
“Under certain conditions, blue-green algae can grow rapidly and cause a harmful ‘bloom,’ which discolors the water or produces floating scums,” health officials said, noting that harmful algae blooms (HABs) can cause illness in people and animals.
“This may happen when a person’s skin touches the algae bloom, or when water is swallowed or droplets are inhaled,” health officials said. “These blooms can also be a major hazard to drinking water supplies.”
On its website, the health department notes that HABs can be different colors.
“It may be blue-green, or plain green, yellow, brown, or red. It may have a scum on the water surface, or at the shoreline. Large blooms often look unnatural—like paint has been spilled into the water.
“If you see something you think may be blue-green algae, tell the beach operator, staff or lifeguard. The Putnam County Department of Health should be notified at 845-808-1390 as well.”
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here