Blue-Green Algae Found in Southampton Pond

Little Fresh Pond in Southampton has recently been closed for crabbing and swimming until further notice.

The Southampton Board of Trustees of the Freeholders and Commonalty of the Town of Southampton declared the pond closed due to a recent cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, bloom.

Last month on the East End, blue-green algae was found in Old Town Pond in Southampton, Kellis Pond in Bridgehampton and Wainscott Pond in Wainscott.

In addition, blue-green algae was found at Agawam Lake and Mill Pond in Southampton and Maratooka Lake in Mattituck.

Health officials advise residents not to use or swim or wade in the lake 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, officials said. They may produce floating scums on the surface of the water or may cause the water to take on paint-like appearance.

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