The Onondaga County Health Department announced today that the Clift Park and Skaneateles Country Club beaches located in the Town of Skaneateles are open again for swimming following satisfactory laboratory test results. The beaches were closed on Tuesday due to visual presence of an algal bloom that has since dissipated.

As a reminder, 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 Onondaga County Health Department remains in close contact with the City of Syracuse and 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