The Madison County Health Department announced today, June 17, that the beaches at Lakeland Park and Willow Bank Yacht Club on Cazenovia Lake are not open due to blue-green algae blooms.
Swimming, wading and water contact activities at these beaches will remain closed until further notice by the Madison County Health Department. Beaches may open after Madison County Health Department has visual verification that the bloom has cleared for at least 24 hours and bathing water sample results are below the level of concern.
Residents with homes along the shore of Cazenovia Lake should watch for the presence of additional blue-green algae blooms.
“If a home is near an area with an algae bloom, avoid recreational activities like swimming in that area until the algae bloom has cleared,” said Geoffrey Snyder, Madison County Environmental Health Director. “While bathing or showering with water not visibly affected by a blue-green algae bloom is not expected to cause health effects, some individuals may experience mild symptoms such as skin, eye, throat irritation or allergic reactions.”
Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) are naturally present in freshwater lakes, ponds and streams in low numbers with no visible blooms.
Algae blooms most frequently occur in nutrient-rich, shallow, undisturbed surface water, particularly during hot, sunny and calm weather. Some algae can produce toxins that can be harmful to people and animals, some do not. Blue-green algae can form harmful (toxic) algae blooms that discolor the water or produce floating rafts or scums on the surface of the water. Blue-green algae blooms typically has the appearance of pea soup, however colors can include shades of blue-green, green, yellow, white, brown, purple or red.
Steps to Prevent Illness from Blue-Green Algae Blooms:
✓Always stay away from blooms. If you see water with floating scum, a paint-like appearance, or that is strongly colored — avoid it. Don’t swim, fish, boat, or wade in areas with blooms. Also, consider not using it for showering, bathing, or washing.
✓It is difficult to tell a harmful algae bloom from other algae blooms. If you come into contact with an algae bloom, wash with soap and water and rinse well with clean water.
✓If you are not on a public water supply and use surface water, do not drink it or use it for cooking, even if it is treated. During an algae bloom, in-home treatments such as boiling or disinfecting water with chlorine or ultraviolet (UV) or water filtration units do not protect people from blue-green algae toxins.
✓If you or a pet come into contact with an algae bloom, immediately wash with soap and water and rinse off well with clean water.
Blue-green algae can cause health effects to people and animals when water with a dense blooms is contacted, swallowed, or when airborne droplets are inhaled. Symptoms include diarrhea, nausea or vomiting; skin, eye, or throat irritation and allergic reactions or trouble breathing.
See a healthcare provider if you, your family or your animals have symptoms that may be related to algae bloom exposure.
For more information about algae blooms visit the New York State Department of Health website at health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/bluegreenalgae.htm or contact Madison County Health Department at 366-2526.
