MAHOPAC, N.Y.—Recreation on Lake Mahopac and other local waterways has been a rite of summer since the days of steam-powered trains—or even earlier. So when the Putnam County Department of Health closes a public beach, it's news.
In recent weeks, beaches at Lake Casse and the Mahopac Golf Club Beach on Lake Mahopac were closed by the health department. The beach at Lake Casse has since reopened, according to the Putnam County Department of Health. The health department posts information about closures here.
The golf club beach was closed on June 20 due to “elevated bacteria levels.” That beach remained on the “closed” list at the time of posting (Wednesday, June 25). The health department posts information about closures here.
But what closed the beaches in the first place—and is it safe to go in the water?
"Environmental factors that may cause a beach to close include the presence of harmful algal blooms (HABs) and/or water sample results that exceed allowable bacteria levels," said Shanna Siegel, public information officer for the Putnam County Department of Health. Siegel added that the health department tests at beaches with public access—which require a permit from the county—but not privately owned beaches.
"There are over 40 bathing beaches and more than 15 pools permitted by the local health department," Siegel said. "Samples are collected from within the swimming area and sent to our contract lab, Pace Analytical. Results are typically received within two business days."
Once a beach has been closed, it will be retested and reopened when conditions permit.
"For both HABs and bacteria exceedances, the health department conducts sampling to verify that conditions are acceptable to allow swimming," Siegel said.
For privately owned beaches not tested by health officials, Siegel recommends learning about HABs and potentially harmful bacteria. She provided the following information:
Harmful algal blooms (HABs)
HABs can appear when certain conditions are met, including excess nitrogen and phosphorus, abundant sunlight, low water flow, calm water and warm temperatures. As temperatures in New York continue to increase, this may contribute to more algal blooms in the coming years. A bloom can happen in surface water, on rocks, along the shoreline or on the bottom of a waterbody. In surface water, it can resemble floating paint or scum and might be strongly colored blue-green, green, yellow, brown, purple or red.
• It can be hard to distinguish a HAB from other non-toxic green algae blooms. As a result, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Putnam County Department of Health recommend avoiding all discolored water—for people and pets.
• To become familiar with the appearance of blue-green algae blooms, visit the health department website or the DEC’s online HABs photo gallery.
Potentially harmful bacteria
• Germs that contaminate pools and open water may cause recreational water illnesses or swimming-related illnesses.
• The most common symptom of swimming-related illness is diarrhea. Other common symptoms include skin rashes, cough and congestion, and ear and eye pain.
• The Putnam County Department of Health offers the following advice to avoid swimming-related illnesses:
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming.
• Dry ears thoroughly after swimming.
• Do not swim if you are sick. If an adult or child has had diarrhea in the past two weeks, they should stay out of the water to avoid contaminating it. Even a tiny amount of fecal matter—the size of a few grains of sand—can cause illness if swallowed.
• Provide frequent bathroom breaks for young children. Germs can spread easily in both pools and open waters if swim diapers or swimsuits become soiled.
• Before and after swimming in pools, splash pads or hot tubs, rinse off in a shower for at least one minute.
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