Point au Roche beach closed for harmful algae

BEEKMANTOWN | The Point au Roche State Park beach has been temporarily closed due to harmful algae blooms. The swimming area was closed Monday, July 12 after the blooms were spotted. Officials said there is also a harmful bloom floating in nearby Deep Bay, prompting a warning for residents, boaters and beachgoers to refrain from touching it, swimming in those areas or eating fish caught in those waters. Pet owners are advised not to let their pets into the water. Updates will be posted on the park's Facebook page or at https://parks.ny.gov/parks/pointauroche/details.aspx. The beach will reopen when the bloom is clear and sampling procedures are complete. The park and trails will remain open while the swimming area is closed. "This particular park's water is regulated by New York State, not CCHD," Ryan Davies, Director/Engineer of CCHD's Environmental Health and Safety Division, said in a subsequent warning from the Clinton County Health Department. "But HABs can happen at any of our waterfront areas." HABs are the rapid growth of cyanobacteria, or algae, that can cause harm to people and animals and can look like foam, scum, paint, or mats on the surface of the water. These blooms produce toxins that can make people and pets sick. According to the Health Department, HABs are most likely triggered by a combination of conditions that include: excess nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen), lots of sunlight, low-water or low-flow conditions, calm water, and/or warm temperatures. Depending on the weather and the characteristics of the lake, HABs may be short-lived or long-lived for several weeks or more. "With recent warm temperatures and low water levels in Lake Champlain, HAB's were able to grow a little earlier in the season than we are used to seeing," Davies added. "The best thing residents can do to protect themselves, their families, and their pets from these blooms is to know what to look for, avoid contact with it, and report any HAB sightings to the DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation)." Residents are being cautioned to: -Avoid contact with any floating mats, scums, or discolored water. Colors can include shades of green, blue-green, yellow, brown or red. -Never drink, prepare food, cook, or make ice with untreated surface water, whether or not algae blooms are present. -Don't drink surface water during an algal bloom, even if it is treated, because in-home treatments such as boiling, disinfecting water with chlorine or ultraviolet (UV), and water filtration units do not protect people from HAB toxins. -If contact does occur, rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove algae. Stop using water and seek medical attention immediately if symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, skin, eye or throat irritation, allergic reactions, or breathing difficulties occur after drinking or having contact with blooms or untreated surface water.

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Point au Roche beach closed for harmful algae

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