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 although closed for swimming, the park’s other amenities remain open during normal hours of operation.
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
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