Blue-Green Algal Blooms Found In Montauk, Officials Say

MONTAUK, NY — Blue-green algae has been detected in Montauk, officials said Friday.

Sampling performed by SUNY Stony Brook confirmed the presence of new cyanobacteria blooms, more commonly known as blue-green algae, in Fort Pond in Montauk, as well as in Lake Ronkonkoma.

Cyanobacteria persist at an unnamed pond on the corner of Silvermere Road and Shore Drive in Greenport, officials said.

Lake Ronkonkoma, which contains a permitted beach, is closed to bathing.

Health officials have advised residents not to use, swim or wade in the any of those bodies of water and to keep their pets and children away from the area.

Though blue-green algae are naturally present in lakes and streams in low numbers, they can become abundant, forming blooms in shades of green, blue-green, yellow, brown or red. They may produce floating scums on the surface of the water or may cause the water to take on paint-like appearance.

Contact with waters that appear scummy or discolored should be avoided. If contact does occur, rinse off with clean water immediately. Seek medical attention if any of the following symptoms occur after contact: nausea, vomiting or diarrhea; skin, eye or throat irritation; or allergic reactions or breathing difficulties.

To report a suspected blue-green algae bloom that is in a body of water that does not contain a Suffolk County permitted bathing beach, contact the Division of Water at New York State DEC: 518-402-8179 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. or anytime via email at habsinfo@dec.ny.gov.

To report a suspected blue-green algae bloom at a body of water that does contain a Suffolk County-permitted bathing beach, contact the Suffolk County Department of Health Services’ Office of Ecology at 631-852-5760 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or by email at any time at scdhsweb@suffolkcountyny.gov.

For a comprehensive list of affected waterbodies in New York State, visit the DEC’s Harmful Algal Bloom Notification Page here.

For more information about blue-green algae, visit the Suffolk County website here.

Patch file photo.