{"id":30840,"date":"2019-07-29T13:31:04","date_gmt":"2019-07-29T17:31:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/?p=30840"},"modified":"2019-07-29T13:31:04","modified_gmt":"2019-07-29T17:31:04","slug":"lakewood-and-long-point-beaches-closed-due-to-harmful-algal-blooms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/lakewood-and-long-point-beaches-closed-due-to-harmful-algal-blooms\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakewood and Long Point Beaches Closed Due to Harmful Algal Blooms"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A Blue Green Algae bloom on Chautauqua Lake. (Photo courtesy of Chautauqua County Department of Health)<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

MAYVILLE – County Health officials were forced to close two beech areas on Chautauqua Lake<\/strong> over the weekend due to localized Harmful Algal Blooms.<\/p>\n

A media release sent out late Friday afternoon said the HABs were observed in the south basin of Chautauqua Lake and near Long Point State Park<\/strong>. As a result, Lakewood Beach<\/strong> and Long Point State Park Beach were closed.<\/p>\n

HABs are created when blue-green algae release toxins which can be harmful to human and animal health.<\/p>\n

Health officials urge all residents and visitors to be cautious when using any local lake or waterway, especially if HABs are present.<\/p>\n

Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, are naturally present in lakes. Nutrient rich runoff from surrounding land, warm water temperature, and sunshine encourages blue-green algae growth. Under the right conditions, blue-green algae form floating mats which may resemble \u201cpea soup\u201d or have a paint-like appearance with strong colors including blue-green, green, yellow, white, brown, purple, or red. These blooms are more likely in nearshore areas than open water areas and are known to contain higher toxin levels than those in open water.<\/p>\n

People and pets can be exposed to toxins by contact (touching, swallowing, and inhaling) with HABs during water recreation activities, through surface water use around the house, such as watering gardens, and through drinking water.<\/p>\n

Christine Schuyler<\/strong>, County Director of Health & Human Services, said, “The greatest threat to public health from HABs is when people or pets drink or otherwise ingest water directly from a lake where a bloom is occurring.\u00a0 Lake water that is properly treated through an approved DHHS water treatment plant does not pose a risk. Swimming or recreating in areas where the water contains high levels of toxin can cause skin irritation and other symptoms to those with high sensitivity.”<\/p>\n

Not all blooms are hazardous but the public should use common sense and take the following precautions:<\/p>\n