STILLWATER — Brown’s Beach on Saratoga Lake’s south end remained closed Sunday after an algae bloom was spotted floating on the lake’s surface over the last two weeks.
Town Supervisor Ed Kinowski said someone anonymously sent a photo June 21 to state Department of Health, which regulates the beach, of what looked like algae floating on the surface, what he described as a sheen of light green.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation keeps a database of reported “Harmful Algae Blooms,” and shows there were reports on June 20 and June 22 of the substance near Brown’s Beach.
Algae is a bacteria, and experts have determined a certain kind — cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae — can make people sick, and can be harmful to pets, if ingested. Kinowski said it is the first time since the town took ownership of the beach in 2014 that it has been closed for algae. However, there have been reports of possibly harmful algae in other places on Saratoga Lake.
Brown’s was closed to swimming after the June 21 notification to the state, and a test during the last week of June ultimately came back negative for harmful algae. But Kinowski said the substance was spotted again June 30 — and the beach has been closed to swimming since. Attendees of the lake’s July 4 fireworks were allowed on the beach — but lifeguards were there to ensure no one entered the water. The state algae database shows algae was again observed there July 4.
Rules dictate that the state will test the water once it looks like the algae is gone to confirm it is safe for swimming. Kinowski said as of Sunday the water appeared clear again, but he’s unsure when the state can come back for testing this coming week. The Times Union noted there was a patch of green still noticeable near the shore. If the test is negative, the…
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