Blue-Green Algae Found In North Fork Lake

NORTH FORK, NY — Cyanobacteria blooms, or blue-green algae, have been found at Maratooka Lake in Mattituck, officials said.

According to the Suffolk County Department of Health, analysis of surface water samples performed by SUNY Stony Brook confirmed the new cyanobacteria blooms.

Due to the findings, health officials ask residents not to use or swim or wade in the water and to keep children and pets 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, the SCHD said.

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, the SCHD said.

To view a map all affected fresh waterbodies in New York State, or to report a suspected blue-green algae bloom to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at a body of water that does not contain a Suffolk County permitted bathing beach, click here. Questions should be emailed to 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. to 4:30 p.m. or by email at any time at scdhsweb@suffolkcountyny.gov.