The Onondaga County Health Department announced today that the Clift Park and Skaneateles Country Club beaches located in the Town of Skaneateles will be closed for swimming due to the visual presence of an algal bloom. This step is being taken as a precaution and is the protocol of the Onondaga County Health Department. Water sampling will be conducted to confirm there are no toxins before the beaches are reopened.
Algae findings in shallow areas are not uncommon in the summer. Algal blooms can turn the water green and can form thick surface scums on the water. Certain types of algae can release toxins that may cause skin or eye irritation, or diarrhea and vomiting if ingested. People and animals should keep out of the water where algal blooms are present in any body of water.
The Health Department recommends taking the following precautions:
- Don’t swim, wade, boat or fish near blooms or scums and don’t eat fish caught from waters with blooms
- Don’t drink the water
- Keep children and animals away from any blooms or scums
- Rinse with clean water if exposed
The Onondaga County Health Department remains in close contact with the New York State Departments of Health and Environmental Conservation. To learn more about blue-green algae visit:
- Blue-Green Algae and Health: health.ny.gov/HarmfulAlgae
- Pets and Algae Blooms: www.dec.ny.gov/docs/water_pdf/habspets.pdf
- NYS Department of Environmental Conservation: on.ny.gov/hab