PLATTSBURGH — Harmful algae blooms, known as HABs, have caused several area beaches to close for swimming in recent days.
CLINTON COUNTY
Senior Public Health Sanitarian at the Clinton County Health Department Amanda K. Masten said these are the areas of Clinton County where and when HABs have been identified:
— June 27: Point Au Roche State Park at Rams Head Trail Bay
— June 29 and Monday: Point Au Roche State Park at Deep Bay
— July 1 and Wednesday: Point Au Roche State Park at the public beach
— Wednesday: Eastern Shore of Cumberland Head
— Thursday: Cumberland Bay State Park Beach
— Thursday: Plattsburgh City Beach
Masten said an interactive map with photos of where the HABs are located can be viewed online at on.ny.gov/nyhabs.
CITY BEACH
News of the closures come just in time for the weekend, which is set to be sunny and hot.
It’s especially bad timing for the Plattsburgh City Beach to be closed for swimming as the Mayor’s Cup Festival is being held there Saturday morning and throughout the day while the Regatta takes place on Lake Champlain.
Wanda Carroll, president of the Sunrise Rotary Club of Plattsburgh, which organizes the event, said the city of Plattsburgh Fire Department has plans to ensure it’s a fun day for those who attend the event.
“The department will be bringing a reserve fire truck and a crew to the large parking lot area on Saturday from 11 a.m. — 2 p.m. to provide a refreshing water spray activity for kids — and yes, adults too!” Carroll shared on the Mayor’s Cup Regatta & Festival Facebook on Friday afternoon.
“This creative and generous gesture ensures that families still have a way to cool off and enjoy the day despite the swim restrictions. The beach will remain open for all other activities, and this new addition will bring even more energy and joy to the festivities.”
OPENING UNCLEAR
It’s unclear when the affected beaches will be able to open for swimming again, but Masten said it usually takes one to two days for a HAB to clear.
However, after the HABs clear, for beaches the health department permits, Masten said they must wait an additional 24 hours before taking a clearance water sample for testing.
“This sample is sent down to the state lab in Albany and if the sample comes back clear the beach can reopen,” she said. “Our office only tests and regulates public beaches that we permit. We do not regulate private beaches or state parks.”
If a HAB is spotted, it’s best to keep any persons or pets away from it.
Masten said some issues that could arise in people and pets after being exposed to a HAB include irritation to the skin, eyes, ears and throat; diarrhea, nausea, jaundice/liver issues; vomiting, respiratory difficulties and neurological symptoms.
HABs can appear in many colors including green, blue, brown, orange, red, white and purple, Masten said.
ESSEX COUNTY
The Essex County Health Department also reported beach closures at the Bulwagga Bay Beach in the town of Moriah, Ballard Park Beach in the town of Westport and Port Douglas Beach in the town of Keeseville in the last couple days.
“The swim area will remain closed until the blue-green algae blooms have cleared and approval to reopen the beach is obtained,” ECHD posted to its Facebook when Ballard Park Beach closed Thursday. “People and animals should not swim at the bathing beach and should avoid contact with any algae blooms, scums and colored water. Contact with blue-green algal blooms can turn the water green and can form thick scums on the water surface. Blue-green algae exposure can cause skin or eye irritation, or if ingested, diarrhea and vomiting. People and animals should keep out of the water where blooms are present.”