​State Removes Cyanobacteria Warning for Little Island Pond

CONCORD, NH — The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) has removed a cyanobacteria lake warning issued on Aug. 5th, 2016, for Little Island Pond in Pelham, according to a press statement.

Samples collected on Aug. 10, showed no visible signs of cyanobacteria and the cell concentration was well below the state standard of 70,000 cells/ml of cyanobacteria, according to Sonya Carlson of the NHDES.

"However, once a bloom has been seen in a lake, that lake is more likely to have future blooms," she noted. "Please continue to monitor your individual shoreline for changing conditions and avoid any large amounts of growth in the water. DES routinely monitors public beaches and public waters of the state for cyanobacteria. Once a cyanobacteria warning has been issued, DES returns to affected waterbodies on a weekly basis until the cyanobacteria bloom is not evident."

Cyanobacteria are natural components of water bodies worldwide, but blooms and surface scums may form when excess phosphorus is available to the water, Carlson stated. Some cyanobacteria produce toxins that are stored within the cells but released upon cell death. Toxins can cause both acute and chronic health effects that range in severity. Acute health effects include irritation of skin and mucous membranes, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Chronic effects include liver and central nervous system damage, according to officials.

Visit the DES Beach Program website for photos and more information about cyanobacteria at des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/wmb/beaches/index.htm. Updates on advisories and warnings may be obtained at des.state.nh.us/WaterShed_BeachMaps/WaterShed_BeachMaps.aspx. Follow the Beaches twitter feed: twitter.com/NHDES_Beaches. If you notice anything resembling cyanobacteria, please refrain from wading, swimming, or drinking the water. Keep all pets out of the water and contact DES immediately, call DES to report a cyanobacteria bloom at 603-419-9229