Toxic Algae Likely at Lake Zoar This Year

The Lake Zoar Authority has warned that blue-green algae blooms are likely to cause issues for swimmers this upcoming recreational season.

A dry season magnifies the algae issue while a rainy season diminishes it. Exposure to high levels of the algae blooms can cause illness including Lou Gehrig's disease.

Fertilizer runoff can intensify the blooms, which look like green paint on the surface of the water.

More from the authority:

Gary Fillion of Newtown, replacing Ray Hoesten this season as chairman of the authority, reported the algae was detected two seasons ago and its presence grew substantially last season.

The authority’s two police patrol boats are being prepared meanwhile for the Memorial Day weekend start of the 2017 season.

Four communities share the 909-acre lake. They are represented on the authority by Fillion and Robert Mouchantat from Newtown, Jerry Isleib and Ed Kusinski from Monroe, Dick Speer and John Downs Jr. from Oxford and Carolyn Wilson, Frank Cavallo and Gary Dennen from Southbury. Mouchantat is the treasurer and Wilson the secretary.

Photo courtesy of authority: Two police boats that patrol Lake Zoar carry police personnel. Shown here with Sgt. Dan Semonsky and Officer David Hare are driver Terry Bogue and Jerry Isleib of Monroe and L ZA chairman Gary Fillion of Newtown, Gary Dennen and Frank Cavallo of Southbury and driver Dick Spear of Oxford.