New Hampshire Lakes, Ponds, Beaches Have Active Fecal, Cyanobacteria Bacteria Advisories

CONCORD, NH — If you are looking to cool off this weekend, here are some water bodies and beaches you might want to consider avoiding, according to state environmental officials.

Nearly a dozen lakes and ponds in New Hampshire have cyanobacteria bacteria advisories or warnings, while half a dozen beaches have fecal bacteria advisories. Cyanobacteria is a harmful algal bloom that changes the color of the water and can cause illness if toxins stored in the cells are released into the water. The state said toxins can cause both acute and chronic health effects that vary in severity —including skin and mucous membranes irritation, tingling, numbness, nausea, vomiting, seizures, diarrhea, and liver and central nervous system damage.

“Be cautious of lake water that has a surface scum, changes colors, or appears to have green streaks or blue-green flecks aggregating along the shore,” the state said.

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services updated Thursday's active cyanobacteria bacteria warnings and alerts. New cyanobacteria warnings and advisories include Greenwood Pond in Kingston; Harvey Lake in Northwood; Silver Lake in Hollis; Hudson’s Robinson Pond; Tucker Pond in Salisbury; Keyser Pond in Henniker; and Province Lake in Effingham and Wakefield. Sunrise Lake in Middletown has had continued warnings for the past two weeks.

Duncan Lake in Ossipee, Deering Reservoir in Deering, and Bedford’s Sebbins Pond have active alerts.

“If you notice anything resembling cyanobacteria, please refrain from wading, swimming, or drinking the water,” the state said. “Keep all pets out of the water and report it to NHDES immediately. Remember, when in doubt, stay out.”

Cyanobacteria is no longer an issue at Country Pond in Kingston and Newton, Northwood Lake, or Milton’s Northeast Pond.

Active fecal bacteria advisories include Corcoran’s Pond Beach in Waterville Valley, Alton Town Beach on Lake Winnipesaukee, Kingston State Park Beach on Great Pond, Seeley Park Beach on Phillips Pond in Sandown, and New Castle Town Beach and Wallis Sands at Wallis Road-Pirate’s Cove in Rye, both on the Atlantic Ocean.

The state’s Healthy Swimming Mapper, with the most up-to-date information, can be viewed here. Blooms can be reported online here.

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