The Onondaga County Health Department announced today that Jamesville Beach located in the Town of LaFayette is closed for swimming due to the visual presence of an algal bloom. Water sampling will be conducted to confirm there are no toxins before the beach is reopened. Please note that this does not affect the park’s other amenities during normal hours of operation.
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
To learn more about blue-green algae visit:
- Blue-Green Algae and Health: ny.gov/HarmfulAlgae
- Pets and Algae Blooms: dec.ny.gov/docs/water_pdf/habspets.pdf
- NYS Department of Environmental Conservation: ny.gov/hab
While Jamesville Beach is closed, the public can enjoy the Oneida Shores Beach in Brewerton which is open Monday-Friday, 12-6pm; Friday-Sunday, 11-6pm. For future updates on the closure status of Onondaga County Parks beaches please visit www.onondagacountyparks.com/about/water-quality-testing/ or call the Division of Environmental Health at 315.435.6600.