Public beaches are closed at Spruce Run Reservoir and seven other New Jersey lakes after receiving an orange level notice for harmful algae bloom from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Swimming in Spruce Run will be prohibited for the rest of the summer and residents should not drink water or eat fish from the reservoir. Kirkwood Lake, Hopkins Pond, and Pemberton Lake are on a blue level warning, which means the beaches are still open and swimming and sailing are allowed, but eating and drinking are discouraged.
Last year, there were a record number of harmful algal blooms in New Jersey that closed several beaches in Hopatcong State Park.
Blooms are caused by natural cyanobacteria, which increase rapidly when hit by sunlight if there are nutrients in the water. They can kill dogs and cause health problems like rashes, abdominal pain, flu-like symptoms and worse for humans.
The other places with an orange level notice are: Amico Island Pond, Rosedale Lake, Greenwood Lake, Mountain Lake, Dramasei Park Lake, Sunset Lake, and Branch Book Park Lake. Earlier this summer, DEP launched its new mapping tool and color-coded system to provide guidelines to the public about harmful algal booms.
“We cannot predict with certainty when harmful algal blooms will occur, but with this improved communication and color-coded alert rate, we expect the appropriate responses to harmful algal blooms to be much more predictable and specific, which should provide much more certainty and flexibility for residents and businesses to make sound decisions, “DEP Commissioner Catherine McCabe said in a press release.
NJ Sierra Club President Jeff Tittel harshly criticized DEP for its damaging algal bloom response.
“This is a game they are playing, using colors instead of cleaning our lakes. We already know when the color system is: it is blue-green algae and people should turn red because DEP did not take action last year, “Tittel said in a press release.
Since the arrival of blooms last summer, DEP has invested more than $ 13 million in state funds to mitigate blooms and communicate with the public about the risks, it is said.
Below, NJ Advance Media answers common questions about the harmful algal blooms that appear across the state.
What are toxic algae that affect New Jersey lakes?
Cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, are responsible for the majority of blooms throughout New Jersey. When the bacteria, which is naturally present in lakes and streams in low numbers, form toxic flowers, it often leaves a thick mat that looks like a pea soup on the surface of the water. Exposure to algal blooms can cause skin rashes. If consumed, it can cause abdominal pain, headaches, vomiting, nausea, blisters around the mouth, flu-like symptoms, and even liver toxicity and neurological damage. The bacteria can also harm pets and animals.
Why are so many lakes affected and why do the algae not disappear?
The blooms have impacted businesses and fueled political controversy, as lawmakers argue over how to solve the problem.
Experts say climate change plays a huge role in all of this, according to a report in The New York Times. Experts say it’s not a Jersey-specific problem, but it’s happening across the country and around the world.
Stormwater from heavy rains wash fertilizers and other nutrient-laden substances into the lake. If you combine that with warmer, wetter summers and warmer water, you create a perfect soup for algae to thrive, according to previous reports.
What should you do if you suspect you have identified a flower?
Report any suspected HAB sightings by calling the DEP hotline at 1-877-WARNDEP (877-927-6337), or send a mobile alert via the WARN NJDEP mobile app (available via iTunes, Google Play or Windows Phone), or report through DEP’s HAB website.
Reporter Spencer Kent contributed to this report.
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