New Blue-Green Algae Detected At Fort Pond, Experts Say

MONTAUK, NY — A blue-green algae bloom has now been detected in northern Ford Pond — and the cyanobacteria bloom continues in the southern portion of the pond, according to sampling done by the Concerned Citizens of Montauk on Wednesday.

The onset of the bloom was first detected on Sept. 5 at the boat ramp, the southern testing site, CCOM said.

Blue-green algal blooms produce toxins that can cause health risks to people and animals; Sept. 5 testing conducted by the Gobler Lab indicated the presence of the algal bloom.

The blooms detected are not listed on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s harmful algal bloom notifications webpage, since the NYSDEC uses a slightly higher threshold for bloom status than that used by the Gobler Lab, based at SUNY Stony Brook Southampton, CCOM said.

However, regardless of the bloom concentrations, CCOM urged individuals, especially children and pets, to stay away from the bloom and avoid contact with the water due to potential health concerns.

Patch file photo.