Algae prompts Bowman to post caution signs
McDONOUGH – There are no plans to close the beach at Bowman Lake State Park despite posted algae warnings, according to Park Manager Joe Morisette.
“We are open this year,” Morisette said, who confirmed Tuesday that the lake is once more being affected by blue-green algae. A bloom of the same type of algae prompted park officials to close the beach early last summer.
Visitors are being encouraged to exercise caution, however. According to Morisette, signs have been posted around the park’s 35-acre lake, cautioning visitors to avoid direct contact with the algae, not to drink the water and to keep a close eye on pets and small children. Any activity which could lead to the accidental swallowing of water is also discouraged.
Because the presence of the algae affects water clarity, and therefore inhibit a life guard’s ability to see swimmers in the water, it could lead to swimming restrictions. For the time being, beach hours remain unchanged, with lifeguards on duty from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends only until the end of June, then daily until Labor Day.
While Morisette said the blue-green algae is naturally occurring, the cause of the most recent bloom has not yet been determined. The park manager said he has been working closely with the New York State Department of Health to address the issue.
According to Morisette, the presence of the algae does not pose an immediate health risk to humans. Contact with the algae can, however, cause minor skin irritation or a rash, so swimmers are encouraged to shower off after emerging from the water. Other health concerns may be eye irritation, diarrhea or cramping, according to the warnings posted at the park.
The blue-green algae poses more of a threat to pets than to humans, Morisette said. For that reason, pets should be kept out of the water and not allowed to drink the water or eat the surface scum indicative of an algae bloom.
Morisette said the presence of the algae should not be a deterrent to fishing at the lake. It is “perfectly safe” to consume fish caught at Bowman, he reported, as long as “the guts” are not eaten.
The park’s current plan for remediation involves the placement of bales of barley straw in the lake. This method of treatment, used commonly in the UK to combat similar algae and water clarity issues, has yielded mixed results in the U.S., according to studies conducted by Purdue University, the University of Maryland and others.
Questions regarding the presence of blue-green algae at Bowman Lake can be directed to Morisette at 334-2718.
“We are open this year,” Morisette said, who confirmed Tuesday that the lake is once more being affected by blue-green algae. A bloom of the same type of algae prompted park officials to close the beach early last summer.
Visitors are being encouraged to exercise caution, however. According to Morisette, signs have been posted around the park’s 35-acre lake, cautioning visitors to avoid direct contact with the algae, not to drink the water and to keep a close eye on pets and small children. Any activity which could lead to the accidental swallowing of water is also discouraged.
Because the presence of the algae affects water clarity, and therefore inhibit a life guard’s ability to see swimmers in the water, it could lead to swimming restrictions. For the time being, beach hours remain unchanged, with lifeguards on duty from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends only until the end of June, then daily until Labor Day.
While Morisette said the blue-green algae is naturally occurring, the cause of the most recent bloom has not yet been determined. The park manager said he has been working closely with the New York State Department of Health to address the issue.
According to Morisette, the presence of the algae does not pose an immediate health risk to humans. Contact with the algae can, however, cause minor skin irritation or a rash, so swimmers are encouraged to shower off after emerging from the water. Other health concerns may be eye irritation, diarrhea or cramping, according to the warnings posted at the park.
The blue-green algae poses more of a threat to pets than to humans, Morisette said. For that reason, pets should be kept out of the water and not allowed to drink the water or eat the surface scum indicative of an algae bloom.
Morisette said the presence of the algae should not be a deterrent to fishing at the lake. It is “perfectly safe” to consume fish caught at Bowman, he reported, as long as “the guts” are not eaten.
The park’s current plan for remediation involves the placement of bales of barley straw in the lake. This method of treatment, used commonly in the UK to combat similar algae and water clarity issues, has yielded mixed results in the U.S., according to studies conducted by Purdue University, the University of Maryland and others.
Questions regarding the presence of blue-green algae at Bowman Lake can be directed to Morisette at 334-2718.
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